AN EVENING WITH VIC RUGGIERO OF THE SLACKERS (Solo Acoustic)

Although this announcement is a bit last minute, it's an announcement that comes 'Better Late Than Never."

Victoria BC Ska & Reggae Society is thrilled to announce that Vic Ruggiero of The Slackers has decided to take some down time on the west coast of Canada at the end of January 2018.

His down time will take him to Victoria on Sunday, January 28th at Lucky Bar for an evening of great music and stories from The Slackers' legendary lead vocalist/guitar. He will be playing an acoustic set.

Many people know the band Vic Ruggiero is the lead vocalist of (The Slackers) but many people don't know that Ruggiero has maintained an active and healthy touring career for well over a decade.

In fact it was almost 10 years ago that Vic Ruggiero came to Victoria and played with his other legendary ska counterpart Chris Murray to a sold out audience at Lucky Bar as part of Victoria's 10th Anniversary Ska Festival.

We can't wait for this show! Hearing Vic's solo creations and a bunch of songs Slackers songs sung acoustic to boot! This is another legendary evening in the making.

It gives us great pleasure to announce Def3 has confirmed a headlining show on Friday, January 26th at Lucky Bar. Def3 will be surrounded by a line-up oozing with talent that includes Mt. Doyle ft. Orilla & Luceo and Scram & The First Team comprised of Alex Miller, Daniela Jackson, Kady Savard & Bobby Arson).
Hip hop, drum n' bass, funk, reggae, soul and any other groove music mixed in is fair game for the evening.

We've known Danny Fernandez aka Def3 for years and it has been an honour to work with him and experience his work as a musician and one of Canada's best writers/muralists.

His new album Small World offers something for everyone and includes guest artists such as Del Tha Funky Homosapien, Masta Ace, Droop Capone, Skratch Bastid and more.

Mt. Doyle whom you may know from his band Ilvis Freshly will be performing with Orilla and Luceo. This trio will bring a mash up of hip hop, drum n' bass, funk and more party riddims for the evening.

Finally rounding out the bill will be Scram & The First Team who are Alex Miller aka Scram, Daniela Jackson, Kady Savard & DJ Bobby Arson. These four musicians motto is to spread truth, love and music to the masses. It's worth noting that all of Scram & The First Team have been and are presently in incredible projects. The Leg Up Program, Ill & I and Pocket Kings are just a few to name. Also Scram and DJ Bobby Arson were the founders of Outright Cypher - a freestyle weekly in Fernwood that has been around for years.

The Dreadnoughts Album Release with guests ATD & The Grinning Barretts!

It's been seven years since Vancouver's punk kings have graced the Island with their presence. The last time was a fundraiser for a member of Victoria's Hillside Hooligans who now we're glad to say is happy, healthy and active in the Island ska/reggae/punk scene.

The Dreadnoughts have become one of Canada's most exciting Celtic punk bands. Often referred to in the same vein as The Real McKenzies, The Dreadnoughts describe themselves as being, "one part roaring sea shanty, one part haunting folk melody, and a solid chaser of gut-crunching street punk." All of this equals one of the most entertaining and hard hitting Celtic punk bands on the west coast of Canada.

Joining them will be another friend of the west coast Canadian punk scene ATD short for "A Total Disappointment" (they're just kidding) also hailing from Vancouver. ATD have made a name for themselves in Vancouver's punk scene often playing at Pub 340 and opening for other punk Canadian legends and up and coming bands such as The Real McKenzies and The Flatliners.

Rounding out the bill will be The Grinning Barretts who will be making their Cumberland debut. More quality Celtic punk with these guys...The Grinning Barretts feature founding members of Skafest veterans The Kiltlifters. This BAGPIPE driven, Celtic infused, Guinness fuelled, 5 piece deliver a range of originals from floor stompin', table poundin' traditional Irish, to catchy, " waketheFup" Irish punk anthems.

COLLIE BUDDZ RETURNS TO VICTORIA with guests Ganjo Bassman & DJ All Good

It's been six years since Bermudan reggae sensation graced the Island with his signature brand of reggae, dancehall and hip hop. COLLIE BUDDZ exploded on the reggae charts with his first self-titled album Collie Buddz that included hits such as "Blind to You" and "Mamacita." Since that time he has collaborated with most of the who's who of the reggae scene worldwide both in the recording studio and through his live shows.

This past May of 2017 Collie Buddz released his most recent album Good Life which he says was his first fully independently released album where he was "100% hands on." The album was produced in collaboration with his good friend "Supa Dups" who was responsible for some of his former hits on Collie Buddz as well as recent hits involving Drake and Rihanna ((Drake "Controlla",Drake ft. Rihanna"Too Good)

Good Life" as an album is a reflection of Collie Buddz's life the last 10 years. Ultimately it is about perspective, perseverance and working towards a solution.

Colin Harper aka Collie Buddz says, "I have been blessed with the best fans in the world who have supported me for years and patiently waiting for new music. I'm really excited to unveil this project to them and am already working on the next one. "

Island reggae veterans Ganjo Bassman will be opening the show.

Ganjo Bassman originally from Sayulita, Mexico has been proud to call Vancouver Island his home for the past four years. Previous to settling on the Island Ganjo played with various Mexican reggae bands until he decided to create his own band called Ganjo Bassman. He created a mini EP called Rock- Reggae-Hop and toured several continents showcasing it in countries such as England, Italy, France and Spain. Along the way he opened for bands such as The Wailers, Ky-Mani Marley, Matisyahu, Gondwana and Alborosie.

His most recent show was opening for Gondwana at The Red Room in Vancouver November 12th, 2017.

Rounding out the bill will be DJ All Good - National DMC Champion. He will be keeping the party going strong with your favourite dancehall, hip hop and reggae before and in between sets!

GONDWANA (Chile) MAKES ISLAND DEBUT IN VICTORIA

Saturday, November 11th Victoria BC Ska Society is excited to bring one of South America's most revered reggae bands - GONDWANA to Upstairs Cabaret.

Formed in 1987, the band maintains an acclaimed trajectory which includes multiplatinum albums and numerous presentations in the most successful and well- known festivals across America (as an example of their massive impact across the continent, the band has performed at Cali Roots Reggae Festival, and Reggae on the River in California, Rock al Parque in Bogotá, Vive Latino in Mexico, Pepsi Music in Buenos Aires, Cosquin Rock in Cordoba, Quito Fest in Ecuador and various appearances in the prestigious Festival de Vina del Mar in Chile).

They'll be joined by Victoria's favourite reggae/dub rockers - Blackwood Kings. Blackwood Kings have grown to become a fixture in the Island's ska and reggae scene and will be representing Canada in this first time Chilean to Canadian connection on the Island.

Voodoo Glow Skulls are a living legendary punk/ska band from Riverside, California that have been long overdue to come to British Columbia. The band's last appearance was opening for The Mighty Mighty Bosstones at Victoria's 10th Anniversary Ska Festival.

Formed in 1988 VGS built their band from starting off playing in backyard parties and clubs. Those small gatherings soon grew to sold out shows throughout their state and around the USA overall. In 1993 the band signed to Epitaph Records and completed a tour that brought them to Europe, Asia, Australia, South America and Mexico.

VGS signed to Victory Records after their time with Epitaph and have continued touring the world ever since. That said, the band recently announced this could be their last tour.

Check them out while you still have the chance!

VOODOO GLOW SKULLS, SWEETLEAF & KMAN & THE 45S come to Lucky Bar!

It's been almost a decade since the Voodoo Glow Skulls from Riverside, California came to British Columbia with their brand of high-energy punk and ska. The last time they came was back in 2010 when they opened for The Mighty Mighty Bosstones for Victoria's 10th Anniversary Ska Festival at the Victoria Curling Club.

The band has been active and touring since then and are now on an upswing and excited to return to Vancouver Island.

Tickets are going to go quickly for this one so make sure you get them when they go on sale on Monday, July 10th on ticketweb.ca. They'll be available at Lyle's Place, Vinyl Envy & Jupiter shortly afterwards.

SHAGGY RETURNS TO VICTORIA!

Friday, September 15th Victoria is in for a end of summer treat when Shaggy comes to Distrikt Nightclub. "Mr. Boombastic" aka SHAGGY just loves coming to the Island. In November 2013 Shaggy played two unforgettable concerts at Distrikt Nightclub to celebrate Victoria BC Ska Society's 10th Anniversary. Seven months later he followed up to headline at Victoria's 15th Anniversary Ska Festival at Ship Point to a packed Inner Harbour.

Fast-forward three years later Shaggy is back for more now with a brand new single "That Love."

Since Shaggy last came to Victoria him and his team have continued to sell out shows throughout the world with the strength of Shaggy's most recent reggae album Out of Many. And not only have they continued to be successful on tour but they have been ambassadors for the genre overall. It was Shaggy's marketing team that helped Tessanne Chin win "The Voice" competition in December 2013 and Shaggy has personally been an advocate for rising reggae superstar Chronixx encouraging people worldwide to listen to his music and tune into entertainment programs such as Jimmy Falon (whom he has been a guest on several times over the years) to raise the profile of the reggae genre to new audiences.

Join us in celebrating the life of a living reggae legend at Distrikt Nightclub! Spread the word and tell your friends. This show always sells out so get on top of purchasing tickets!

KATCHAFIRE'S 20TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT w/ special guest The Leg Up Program

Victoria BC Ska & Reggae Society is excited to present Katchafire's 20th Anniversary Concert on Saturday, July 15th at Sugar Nightclub. They will be playing with The Leg Up Program one of the most exciting funk/soul bands on the Island.

Vancouver! We proudly present to you a huge reggae triple bill with THE SKINTS, MIKE LOVE & Mad Riddim! Fresh off their debut appearances at the Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival, The Skints and Mike Love are teaming up on the other side of the Strait to present a night of pure, unadulterated reggae goodness. This is a very special show that brings together two of the titans of modern reggae music, highlighting the yin and yang of reggae's roots. The Skints bring the grimy, gritty feel of big city living - reggae music delivered with a bite, while Mike Love comes with the breezy, lighter island vibes.

Then to top if off we have Mad Riddim who are the reggae veterans of the scene. Mad Riddim was created by Vancouver's drum and bass duo Matt Reid and Richard Brown. Together the two are the go to musicians for arranging backing bands for major artists that have come to BC over the years. For those of you that remember, Mad Riddim opened for Lee Scratch Perry in Vancouver at The Commodore in September 2016.

Come get down with us and start your summer right with one of the biggest,most important reggae shows Van City is going to see this year!

Vancouver reggae legends ROOTS ROUNDUP finally take our Main Stage at Ship Point to help close out another year of super-fine music and art. The music of the longtime champions of west coast reggae was instrumental in the formation of both the Victoria Ska & Reggae Society and Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival. Their sunny, rootys riddims helped inspire our Festival founder and head, revealing the musical community at large and opening the door for new blood into the scene. It's an honour to have them at the festival, dropping their tunes and getting all the Massive dancing.

Nanaimo's first-string crave team, DOPE SODA, will be joining Roots Roundup on the stage, blasting their ultra-friendly, beer-soaked ska music out into the crowd, getting the party jumping to incredible heights. These rowdy ruffians always put a smile on the faces of their crowds and this won't be any different. Los Angeles guitar maestro RUSTY ZINN will be rounding out the proceedings with his incredibly warm brand of roots reggae music. After conquering the world of blues guitar, Zinn has set his sights on the world of reggae and has been making a splash since that change in direction. His albums and songs harken back to the beginning of reggae music, while still sounding wholly at home today.

Come down to the Inner Harbour and close out Victoria Ska & Reggae Fest XVIII in smooth, horn-filled style.

This is a special one for all our family out there in the Skankster's Paradise.

Victoria BC Ska & Reggae Society favourites Mad Caddies headline a night to remember at the Inner Harbour. The band is as sharp and fun as ever, even after two decades. “It’s incredible. I really never thought we’d go for 20 years. I don’t want to sound clichéd but it’s been a long, strange trip for sure,” lead singer Chuck Robinson told the VBCSS's Blake Morneau during their last festival visit. “We’re so lucky to be able to keep doing this. We’re really thankful and grateful to the fans who still come out to have a good time.” The ongoing success of the Mad Caddies is a triumph, tempered by the specific humbleness and gratitude that comes from an understanding of and respect for the artist/fan relationship. The Mad Caddies aren't rockstar divas. They are lovers of the music, and even though they're creators, they're still fans and likely in the crowd with the rest of our Ska & Reggae family.

Joining the Caddies on this ska-spectacular are Easy Star Records champions and modern reggae warriors, The Skints. The UK quartet combines so many facets of the reggae family tree – dub, ska, two-tone, punk, dancehall, hip-hop – as to create an entirely unique, wildly unpredictable style. With dynamic male/female harmonies and grimy rapid-fire dancehall raps, the Skints paint vivid sonic portraits of hard city life in London over top of sunny dub reggae with way more heavy bottom end than they have any right to use.

Representing that sunny ska hotbed of Long Beach, California are Skunk Records trio Perro Bravo. From his work as a original member of Sublime – he's responsible for the lead vocals on the band's cover of “Scarlet Begonias,” and remained a producer for the band until its end – to his founding of the Long Beach Dub All-Stars, Happoldt has repeatedly proved his catchy, sun-soaked mettle. Formed in 2010, Perro Bravo is upholding that strong tradition of skank-friendly reggae-tinged music.

Over-stuffing an already jam-packed bill are rowdy Victoria hip-hop quartet, Illvis Freshly. With a firmly old-school vibe, couched in an aggressively bouncy EDM sound, the quartet of mischief makers has been rocking bodies and making people bounce all around British Columbia, including a highlight performance at last years Victoria Ska & Reggae Fest. With the release of last year's Illenials – a party-ready rocker of an album that features fellow Festival performer Caleb Hart – Illvis Freshly further cemented their place as one of the most unique and exciting acts to emanate from Vancouver Island in a long time.

A special night for all our those true reggae lovers among us. The one and only MIKE LOVE makes his Victoria Ska & Reggae Fest debut! If you haven't heard about Mike Love, now is the time to learn yourself a thing or two about one of the most important forces in the current reggae climate. In these troubled, frantic times, Love's music is a salve for humanity. Songs like “Penniless” and “I Love You” tackle societal ills and general love respectively, showing the range of Love's inspiration. This deeply inspired love for humanity and the Earth is buoyed by incredible guitar work and Mike Love's saccharinely sweet voice. The combination of positivity and top-tier musicianship has won Love fans all over the world, winning him appearances at Cali Roots, Wanderlust, the Montreal Jazz Fest and, at long last, Victoria Ska & Reggae Fest!

Joining Mike Love in this celebration of reggae are California's BURNT. For 15 years now, California's BURNT have been soldiers in the struggle to keep real roots reggae alive and well on the west coast, with an eye always forward, looking for new ways to evolve and add to the traditions of the music they love so much. With their passion for soulful melodies, bass-heavy riddims and lyrics that deal with both parties and politics, BURNT have become beloved west coast reggae favourites, exciting the reggae massive up, down and all around our beloved coast.

Kicking the night off with bang is the mighty YELLOWSKY. Hailing from the Plains Cree First Nation, Yellowsky (Born Roberto Andres Pooyak) is one of the most important First Nations rappers rocking in Canada right now. His massive, bottom end-heavy beats pay homage to the grimy city life of the most classic of hip-hop music while his elastic, malleable delivery harken to the traditions of both classic Jamaican deejaying and more modern MC styles. Where a lot of positive hip-hop starts to lose some of its edge Yellowsky is making positive music that still retains an exhilarating edge.

Victoria BC Ska Society is excited to present the Canadian debut of La Banda Skalavera from Los Angeles to Victoria's 18th Annual Ska & Reggae Festival. They are going to blow your minds!! This all Latino band play a mixture of ska core/punk, meringue, salsa, reggae and traditional folk.

La Banda Skalavera will be playing with Los Furios from Vancouver. Los Furios are a long-time fixture in Canada's ska scene and are about as old as the festival. Los Furios play a high energy brand of ska mixed with punk and reggae.

Together these bands will create fun and circle pits galore! We can't wait!!

The Black Seeds had so much fun at their sold out Rickshaw Theatre performance last year they are coming back for a second helping this year! Once again this appearance is in support of their Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival XVIII appearance the day before in Victoria.To support The Black Seeds on this show Victoria BC Ska Society is proud to present Clinton Fearon. Clinton Fearonwas born in Jamaica and become the bassist, vocalist and lyricist for the mythic Gladiators, as well as a session musician for Coxsonne Dodd in Studio One and Lee 'Scratch' Perry's at Black Ark, two of the main producers on the island at this time. He also composed some everlasting bass lines for well-known artists like Yabby You, Jimmy Riley, Max Romeo, Junior Byles and many others.Pick up tickets asap for this one as it's expected to sell out again!

Come down to the Rocksteady Collective Multimedia Arts Exhibition and get down to world-class music surrounded by visual art from some of the community's most exciting artists.

Night two of the Rocksteady Collective Exhibition is set to get some faces meltin', some heads noddin' and some bodies movin'. Seattle soul sensations DOWN NORTH make their Victoria debut at this incredibly intimate and special stage. The quartets soul is laced with punk energy and oozing with more heart and passion than should be legally allowed. Don't miss the chance to check one of the Pacific Northwest's finest, most exciting bands before the blow the hell up!

Joining them on the bill is Victoria hip-hop outfit DOCKSIDE GREEN. The duo of Nox and Eddy are doing the Big Work, hustling to preserve all the things that make west coast hip-hop such a musical staple. Their elastic and conscious flows are sure to dazzle your ears while your head bobs to those breezy but dense beats. After their amazing burlesque performance at last years Exhibition, AMETHYST DANCE TROUPE returns for a display of enchanting belly-dancing. Rounding out the bill, laying the beats to please our earholes, is Benny the Jett.

After one of last year's highlight performances under the stairs at Ship Point in the Inner Harbour, THE BLACK SEEDS are returning to get Sugar Nightclub rocking – a rare chance to see the dub reggae heroes up-close-and-personal!
The Black Seeds are proof that the beating heart of reggae lies with the people, from whichever nation or part of the world they call home. For nearly two decades, The Black Seeds have been putting in the work and channeling the sound of that beating heart. Formed in 1998 while guitarist/vocalist Barnaby Weir was working at Radio Active, an independent radio station in Wellington, New Zealand. Weir was one of a very small number of DJs at the station regularly spinning Jamaican-rooted music. In short time, just spinning the music wasn't enough and it was time to play it themselves. Since then, The Black Seeds have established themselves as not only one of New Zealand's most recognizable bands but as one of the faces of the global reggae movement. . Having countless shows and five – soon to be six – albums their belt, the group has mastered their dub reggae foundations, giving them the perfect canvass to splash with funk, soul, blues and straight-ahead rock and roll.

Supporting The Black Seeds is the smoky Vancouver soulstress TONYE. Since becoming the go-to voice for Vancouver's strong community of EDM producers and DJs, Tonye has been working to cement her place as a solo force to be reckoned with and if her new album "Villain" is any indication, she's already there. The album blends live instrumentation with electronic beats and elements to provide a lush rhythmic landscape for Tonye's incredible vocals to flourish.

Affectionately known as “Mr. Singy Singy” for his rich, sublimely full vocals, Tarrus Riley has racked up awards around the globe, releasing a stream of albums that tap into the rich tradition of Jamaican music while always bringing something new and exciting to the mix. Internationally recognized as one of the new torch-bearers of roots reggae music, Riley's music is powered by the sun-drenched vibes and positively engaging lyrics of the best reggae. In Riley's songs there is comfort, power and strength. Songs like “Shaka Zulu Pickney,” and “Marcus Garvey” work to inspire and educate the African diaspora, while songs like “She's Royal” and “Cool Me Down” are here to cool things down for the lovers in the audience. Joining Tarrus Riley and The Blak Soil Band is legendary Jamaican saxophonist Dean Fraser. Through his solo work, work with acts like Sly & Robbie, Luciano and now Tarrus Riley, Fraser has established himself an incredible secret weapon in any reggae arsenal. With something for every stripe of reggae listener, the mighty Tarrus Riley with Dean Fraser and The Blak Soil Band promise to deliver one of the most engaging and uplifting sets during their Victoria Ska & Reggae Fest debut!

Shauit
The one and only Innu Ragga Man, Shauit, finally makes his way to the Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival stage. Shauit is making some of the most vital and powerful reggae music in Canada right now. Singing in French, English and most importantly, his native Innu language, Shauit presents songs of love, power, hope and peace with an unyielding passion. His talent has taken him around both Canada and Europe as he spreads his message to the masses.

Batuque Axé feat. Miguelito Valdes of Buena Vista Social Club
Kicking off the festivities will be Batuque Axé, the blistering 12-piece backing band for Capoeira troupe Axé Capoeira, who will be in full force, demonstrating the beauty of the Brazilian martial art. They have lit up stages over the years with driving rhythms, beautiful melodies and captivating performances of traditional Brazilian dances and the Afro-Brazilian martial-art, Capoeira. Joining in with Batuque Axé will be legendary trumpeter Miguelito Valdes of such fabled acts as Buena Vista Social Club, Herbie Hancock and Afro-Cuban All-Stars.

Tank Gyal
To provide the beats in between your live acts on this very special night we had to call a legend from across the Strait. Tank Gyal, Vancouver's foremost authority on all tings riddmic, is coming to lay the slinkiest, sultriest, sunniest reggae grooves to keep you moving between all the amazing live music in store!

Entangados as a band displays explosive energy, musical talent and humour on and off stage. But they also have the power to make almost anyone they perform for or come into contact with feel welcomed and relaxed no matter who they are. Musically the band combines ska, rock, cumbia, salsa and Balkan folk music. In 2016 Entangados closed out Victoria's 17th Annual Ska & Reggae Festival with an unforgettable performance in front of thousands who witnessed it at Ship Point Inner Harbour.

This time around the band will be playing one of the festival's smallest venues at Lucky Bar. So fans that loved them last year are advised to purchase tickets through either a Jupiter VIP Full Fest, Regular Full Fest or single passes!

Joining Entangados will be Montreal's OM Sound. The OM Sound is a tight trio merging genres of hip hop, electro, and jazz-funk to create a mesmerizing and groove-heavy sound. Their world travels serve as inspiration for their socially, environmentally, and spiritually conscious message, conveyed through soul stirring lyrics and rich soundscapes, wrapped up with in-the-pocket beats and blow-your-mind bass lines.

Come down to Odd Fellows Hall (1315 Douglas) for an amazing night of music in an incredibly intimate environment, surrounded by the art of a plethora of the community's finest visual art from artists like Francis Dick, Verse, Sean 'Flynch' Behnsen, and many more. Providing the soundtrack on this opening night party are Vancouver dub-reggae sensations, RAILTOWN SOUND SYSTEM. After an incredible performance at this year's St. Patrick's Day throwdown at Lucky Bar, we knew we had to bring them back for another round. Let the deep dub reggae of Railtown seep into your bloodstream, as it moves and relaxes you to your core.

Victoria rockers EVERYBODY LEFT will be joining Railtown to provide an extra burst of high-octane energy. The bands tight grooves and ferocious playing is sure to get you jumping on a Friday night. Joining these two amazing bands is another west coast master of music, OSTWELVE. Ostwelve wears many hats - actor, writer, community organizer, graphic designer - but on this night, he's ready to rap. His dense, nimble, thoughtful rhymes are sure to be one of the festival's highlights. This is an incredible night of music that cannot and should not be missed!

This event is ALL AGES and FULLY LICENSED (19+)

MIKE LOVE (Hawaii) & MISTICA (Medellin, Colombia) - Cumberland show

Mike Love makes his long awaited debut in Cumberland BC at The Waverley Hotel. He will be joined by Mistica from Medellin, Colombia that are making their very first Canadian appearances June 14 - 22 in support of Victoria's 18th Annual Ska & Reggae Festival!

MIKE LOVE

If you haven't heard about Mike Love, now is the time to learn yourself a thing or two about one of the most important forces in the current reggae climate. In these troubled, frantic times, Love's music is a salve for humanity. Songs like “Penniless” and “I Love You” tackle societal ills and general love respectively, showing the range of Love's inspiration. This deeply inspired love for humanity and the Earth is buoyed by incredible guitar work and Mike Love's saccharinely sweet voice. The combination of positivity and top-tier musicianship has won Love fans all over the world, winning him appearances at Cali Roots, Wanderlust, the Montreal Jazz Fest and, at long last, Victoria Ska & Reggae Fest!

MISTICA

Stomping out of Medellin, Colombia, Mistica is a powerhouse reggae band. Formed in 2014 by León “Leo” Vélez, bass player of Providencia – one of the most important reggae bands in Colombia. Mistica exploded onto the South American reggae scene with their first single “Number One” feat. Argentinian singer Junior C. Building on the relationships Vélez already had in the community, Mistica has been embraced throughout South America playing festivals around the continent.

RocksteadyMultimediaArtExhibit-RailtownSoundSystem/EverybodyLeft
Rocksteady Multimedia Art Exhibit - Gallery Viewing & Music - Friday, June 16th, 2017 - 9pm-1am - TICKET - Railtown Sound System, Everybody Left, Ostwelve
(All Ages/Fully Licensed)
Advance tickets for the night shows are available only at Lyle's Place and there are a very limited amount. You have to purchase these tickets separately even if you have a Full Fest Pass. Jupiter Victoria VIP Full Fest Pass holders will gain admission *subject to capacity*

Rocksteady Multimedia Exhibit & DownNorth/DocksideGreen/Amethyst
Rocksteady Multimedia Art Exhibit - Gallery Viewing & Music - Saturday, June 17th, 2017 - 9pm-1am - TICKET - Down North, Dockside Green, Amethyst Dance & Fitness Troupe: Fusion Belly Dancing (All Ages/Fully Licensed)
Advance tickets for the night shows are available only at Lyle's Place and there are a very limited amount. You have to purchase these tickets separately even if you have a Full Fest Pass. Jupiter Victoria VIP Full Fest Pass holders will gain admission *subject to capacity*

Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival is proud to host the legend, the titan of American soul and R&B, BOOKER T. JONES. For over half a century, Jones has been leaving his mark on American music, through his own work and collaborations with some of musics biggest and most diverse names like The Roots, Jim James and Gary Clark Jr, to name just a few. His song "Green Onions" has been a popular staple for years and is the only instrumental song included on Rolling Stone Magazine's "500 Greatest Songs of All Time." After his unforgettable performance at Alix Goolden last year, we thought it was only fitting to bring this legend back, this time on our signature stage, in front of the majesty of the Inner Harbour sunset.

Providing direct to the legend of American music will be two titans of Jamaican music, Keith & Tex. The golden-voiced innovators of rocksteady started their journey over half a century ago and are still traveling and singing, delighting audiences around the globe with their incredible harmonies. Songs like "Stop That Train," "Don't Look Back" and "Tonight" remain some of reggae's most enduring classics, instantly recognizable and always welcome.

Joining Mr. Jones and Keith & Tex on this very special night is Victoria's own jazzy funksters, the New Groovement. The powerfully fun 11-piece is custom built to get heads nodding and rumps shaking. Their powerful horns will start the night off right, helping energize the crowd for an unforgettable evening.

Westcoast Reunion at VICTORIA SKA & REGGAE FESTIVAL XVIII (19yrs+)

Join us for the smoothest, sultriest night of Victoria Ska & Reggae Fest XVIII, headlined by Vancouver indie-soul sensations THE BOOM BOOMS. The Boom Booms have been long time friends of the Festival and this time they come to Distrikt to bring us their one-of-a-kind slinky, soulful grooves. There's something magical and warm about this septet's sound, something that's made them a West Coast institution. The perfect tunes to get centre your soul and shake your bones to, with a couple good friends, or huddled up close with your lover. Their Vic Ska & Reggae Fest return is not to be missed!

Teaming up with the Boom Booms for this soulful extravaganza is quickly-rising west-coast star CALEB HART & THE ROYAL YOUTHS. Through his work with Tasman Jude and now as frontman of the Royal Youths, Caleb Hart has established himself as one of Canada's premier reggae voices, roots-reggae smooth to dancehall grimy in the blink of an eye and always armed with a message of peace, love and hope. Nanaimo's BOOMSHACK is set to kick off the night with their untouchably soulful blend of jazz, hard funk and reggae. We can't wait to groove and get close with all the family for what promises to be a hot night like no other.

The goals of the session are to provide youth and the general public a greater understanding of the roots of Jamaican rooted music focusing on how American soul & R&B and Stax Records artists have influenced rocksteady and reggae practitioners in Jamaica and throughout the rest of the world.

Booker T. Jones and Keith & Tex will give key-note addresses to the audience followed by a question and answer period. The Vic High R&B Band led by Eric Emde will also perform a short set at this historic event.

The goals of the session are to provide youth and the general public a greater
understanding of the roots of Jamaican rooted music focusing on how American
soul, R&B and Stax Records artists have influenced rocksteady and reggae
practitioners in Jamaica and throughout the rest of the world.

Booker T. Jones and Keith & Tex will give key-note addresses to the audience
followed by a question and answer period. The Vic High R&B Band led by Eric
Emde will also perform a short set at this historic event.

Join Booker T. Jones, Keith & Tex, The New Groovement and Garden City Soul Club at Ship
Point Inner Harbour following this key-note address. Ship Point event runs 4pm - 10pm.
All Ages. Kids 10 and under free with accompanying adult.

E-mail info@victoriaskafest.ca for more information. Visit www.victoriaskafest.ca or facebook.com/Victoria.Ska.Fest

Longtime Victoria Ska & Reggae Fest friends SKAMPIDA make a triumphant return to the Festival for a high-energy party like no other. The rowdy Colombian ska troubadours have been running about the globe causing mischief and it's been too long since they've come to rile up audience. Luckily we've managed to track down and round up the ruffians for this spectacular night of unpredictable fun!

Joining Skampida for this gritty celebration are Victoria reggae favourites SweetLeaf - promising to serve up a heaping dose of horn-heavy goodness - and The Party On High Street, a whirlwind of genre-bending energy, blending up psychedelia, funk, rock and dashes of hip-hop. These three form a mighty triumvirate of party energy that sure to get your blood flowing and heart-rates up!

We're kicking off this year's Victoria Ska & Reggae fest with bang - A FREE show to rally the Ska & Reggae Massive and start the festival off with a powerful blast of energy. One of modern reggae's most powerful personalities, JAH9, makes her Victoria debut flanked by her powerful reggae band THE DUB TREATMENT. With her incredible voice and passion for life, Jah9 has made her mark through her music, her art and her yoga. The Jamaican native represents all the good things we love about reggae music and is the perfect headline act to set off our Main Stage at Ship Point. The groups powerful dub reggae is going to provide you with some bottom-end heavy riddims and positive vibes to power you through the rest of Festival week!

Joining Jah9 & The Dub Treatment to soak the Massive in sunny reggae vibes are Colombian reggae outfit MISTICA, making their Canadian debut. The band, close friends of past festival favourites Providencia (Complete with a former member of the outfit), Mistica has been making waves all over South America since their inception just a couple short years ago. Vancouver Island reggae warrios CHEKO & THE LION ROCKERS return to the Ska & Reggae Fest stage for a display of some of the finest roots reggae music that BC has to offer. And to kickstar the proceedings, OUT OF CONTROL ARMY is storming out Mexico City, bringing their ultra high-energy ska music to Canada for the first time! Come out, meet the rest of your ska & reggae community, and enjoy all this amazing music for FREE!

Victoria BC Ska Society is proud to present Clinton Fearon that is not only family to the Society and our community but also a reggae legend. It has been a minute since we've had Clinton Fearon perform. The last time was at Victoria's 16th Annual Ska & Reggae Festival at the Victoria Event Centre with Kristie McCracken.

This time Clinton Fearon will be playing an acoustic set alongside Marafani World Beat that played at last year's Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival on the closing day of the festival at Ship Point Inner Harbour.

This is scheduled to be the last presentation we do before Victoria's 18th Annual Ska & Reggae Festival. To mark this occasion we will be having an "On the Road to Ska & Reggae Fest Early Birdie Sale"

If you purchase your tickets before March 31, 2017 you can get it for $14.50 instead of the regular advance price of $16.50.

On-line tickets available now on ticketweb.ca. Hard copy tickets will go on sale on or before March 28, 2017 at Lyle's Place, Jupiter & Vinyl Envy in Victoria.

Clinton Fearon is a Seattle-via-Jamaica-based singer-songwriter who has earned his place as one of the Pacific Northwest’s premier practitioners of soulful reggae. Fearon, originally cut his teeth as a bass player, vocalist, and lyricist for legendary Jamaican roots-reggae group, The Gladiators. He was also a sought-after session player during this period of his career, cutting smooth basslines with top producers like Lee “Scratch” Perry & Coxsone Dodd. Fearon left the Gladiators and moved to the USA in 1987. He has performed and toured regularly since, both acoustically and with his “Boogie Brown Band.” “I write from my heart,” says the man himself. “My music is good for the soul - always with a message of hope and betterment for tomorrow. It's good for dancing, good for listening and I think it's good for all.”

CLINTON FEARON (acoustic) returns to Cumberland with Rebel Selector!

Victoria BC Ska Society and Nanaimo Reggae Massive are excited to team up to bring Clinton Fearon (acoustic) with Rebel Selector to The Waverley Hotel. This is a nice warm up for Victoria's 18th Annual Ska & Reggae Festival.

NINJASPY LP RELEASE w/SWEETLEAF, Ætherion & Safe Decisions

This is one of two April presentations celebrating the Road to Victoria's 2017 Ska & Reggae Fest. It's a diverse night of metal, hardcore, ska, and reggae that is sure to be incredible..

Ninjaspy

Ninjaspy knows how to put on one hell of a show. Just ask anybody who's seen them on one of their many cross-country treks. A true fusion band, Ninjaspy mixes the dance-ready beats and thick grooves of ska, reggae, and funk with the thrashing aggression of hardcore and metal. The mainland group, comprised of brothers Joel, Adam, and Tim Parent, possesses one of the most diverse sounds to ever pop up along the west coast.

Their unique musical output has allowed them to share the stage alongside modern metal icons such as Protest the Hero, Coheed and Cambria, and Periphery, while also making appearances at such events as the 2012 and 2016 Victoria Ska & Reggae Festivals. Their 2007 full-length album Pi Nature received universal critical acclaim, and their most recent release, 2013's No Kata, an experimental musical journey through metal, drum n' bass, and dub, is accompanied by a graphic novel.

April 2017 sees the group releasing their long-awaited second full-length LP, Spuken, another mind-warping journey through deep dub reggae and ear-splitting metal. All three releases were produced by Garth Richardson, known for his work with Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rage Against the Machine, and Rise Against among others.

SweetLeaf

Victoria's favourite ska/reggae/punk party-starters are back from a sold-out St. Patricks Day show for one more warm-up gig before the 2017 Victoria Ska and Reggae Fest comes along.

Ætherion

Fresh off the release of their debut EP, these up-and-coming locals describe themselves as "Interstellar Groove Metal." What's not to love? Brain-blasting prog metal for fans of Gojira, Mastodon, and Lamb of God.

SAFE DECISIONS

The new skate-punk and melodic hardcore side project of SweetLeaf will be opening the show with some mosh and booze-fueled fun. If you ever went to the Warped Tour in the late 90s and early 2000s, this is the stuff for you. Word on the street is they do a mean NOFX cover.

While 2016 has been a year to mourn many of our greatest musicians, today we you bring news of joy and redemption! Without further delay, Victoria BC Ska Society is thrilled to announce the return of SAVE FERRIS from Los Angeles, California! Save Ferris will be embarking on their first North American tour since 2002 to accompany their brand new EP that hits the streets in January 2017! The New Sound Tour 2017 will touch down in Vancouver at VENUE on Granville Street just in time for St. Paddy's Day Weekend on Saturday, March 18, 2017.

Save Ferris (which is in fact a reference to the 1986 film Ferris Bueller's Day Off) has undergone constant change in their 20 year history. Despite going through various supporting members over the years and a long hiatus after the band's 2003 album, the band's fearless leader and lead singer Monique Powell has found a way to keep the band together and give their fans hope for a bright future.

Starting in November 2015, Save Ferris began a Pledge Music campaign to help support both their new EP and full length album. To date the campaign has had been a huge success already reaching 151% of its goal with more than 2 months until the release of their new EP. Supporters of Save Ferris' pledge campaign and those that have heard snippets of the album will enjoy the selections. Overall the songs are melodic, crisp and catchy. Credit here also must be given to John Avila of Oingo Boingo who produced it. Notably the album features two-tone ska legend Neville Staple (formerly of The Specials).

Save Ferris' first shows out of the gate in 2016 have been huge successes. After headlining the Pepsi Ska Festival in Mexico City this past summer, the band recently opened a pair of shows for Gwen Stefani at the Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre. Shortly before those appearances they played at the Santa Monica Pier to over 7000 people in mid October 2016. Now they are getting ready to co-headline the Mari Berdanska Festival in Indonesia with Aoteorea's all Maori reggae stars - Katchafire.

Join the excitement and celebrate St. Paddy's Day Weekend with Save Ferris - Sat. March 18th at VENUE in Vancouver.

Special early bird Pre-Sale for Members of the Victoria BC Ska Society November 15 - 17, 2017
Tickets on sale to the general public on Friday, November 18, 2017 at 9am.

ST. PADDY'S DAY THROWDOWN

We can't remember the last time we had a St. Paddy's Day show but this year we decided to get in on the action. The combination of Sweetleaf, Railtown Sound System and Party on High Street = fun and enjoyment just by looking at the bill and thinking about the bands' music and personalities. Ska, reggae and funk in all different ways from the first to the last note is what you're in for! But they'll be a lot of dancing and St. Paddy's Day cheer as well!

Tickets on sale Friday, December 9th on ticketweb.ca. Only $13 early bird advance! Hard copies on sale before Christmas at Lyle's Place, Jupiter, & Vinyl Envy.

Victoria BC Ska Society Membership Launch

Victoria BC Ska Society is happy to present an exciting night of music and visual arts in celebration of our Membership Program Launch at Odd Fellows Hall on Friday, March 3, 2017.

Featured bands will be Sexweather, Zoubi and the Sea & Vic Horvath. Also Victoria BC Ska Society's Rocksteady Collective artists Warren Smith, Leah Craig and Stephie Spring will be featuring some of their newest works!

The new membership program is aimed to get more people involved with everything to do with the Victoria BC Ska Society. Besides being a member of a grassroots organization that is full of fun and soul, members will have the opportunity to attend the Annual General Meeting and vote in the Board of Directors (next meeting is on March 16, 2017). But one of the best parts is that members will always have the opportunities to win free swag, tickets and discounts on future membership events.

Anyone that purchases a ticket to this show may also become a member of the Victoria BC Ska Society. All you'll need to do is sign up in advance or at the door. If you purchase the ticket in advance, we will sign you up in advance so you don't need to do it at the door.

Tickets for this show will be available at Jupiter (619 Johnston Street) or through Tristan Ahern (Event Coordinator).E-mail him at tristan@victoriaskafest.ca

This show will be all ages w/bar service to those 19yrs+ Purchasing of advance tickets is strongly encouraged. They will be available shortly from Lyle's Place, Jupiter, The Reef, Vinyl Envy & ticketweb.ca

We are excited for the return of KOBO TOWN to our Island! Founded by Drew Gonsalves, Kobo Town has brought their distinct calypso and dub inspired sound to festivals, clubs and theatres around the world. Kobo Town's music has been described as “a unique, transnational composite of rhythm, poetry and activist journalism.” (Exclaim!) In other words just like calypso was used back in the day to be the social commentary of the people, the band does this in the same way with their music. It is also the songwriting of Gonsalves that captures this traditional feel and purpose.

Kobo Town has been a favourite at Victoria's Annual Ska & Reggae Festival since they closed the festival in the summer to a sold out crowd in 2014 at the Victoria Event Centre. Following that unforgettable debut the band returned to headline the festival's free Kick Off show at Ship Point Inner Harbour in 2015.

Guests of honour for the show will be Victoria's The New Groovement that are the Island's infamous eleven-piece funk machine that blends elements of R&B, soul, and hip hop into their sets. The band has the kind of energy that guarantees you don't want to sit down. Along with their good music and energy The New Groovement have played on all of the region's largest music festivals and special events including Victoria's Annual Ska & Reggae Festival.

Rounding out the bill is Cheko and the Lion Rockers from the Cowichan Valley. Mexico's Cheko (Sergio Soto) leads this group of veteran reggae rockers from Vancouver Island. Cheko & the Lion Rockers also played on Victoria's Ska & Reggae Festival this past summer at the Rocksteady Collective Multimedia Exhibition.

Victoria BC Ska Society is pleased to announce an exciting combination of Island artists that will bring a high level of musicianship and a beautiful blend of musical styles onto one stage. Saturday, January 14 at Sugar Nightclub in Victoria BC, Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra will celebrate their 10th Anniversary Concert at Sugar Nightclub with guests Lovecoast, Harvey Paris featuring Eli Bennett and Rebel Selector.

Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra gypsy style music mirrored the band's travelling habits. Tequila Mockinbird Orchestra have toured extensively to various places around Europe, Mexico, the US and Canada since they started in small coffee shops and restaurants ten years ago in Victoria and the Gulf Islands. Although the members now reside in various parts of Canada they are still considered a hometown favourite band to Victoria. The band has 5 full length albums under their belt which cover various styles of folk, gypsy jazz and a bit of ska. The band has played at numerous other festivals across Canada and the United States including Vancouver Folk Festival, Winnipeg Folk Festival, Calgary Folk Festival and Kaslo Jazz Festival. The band's last appearance in Victoria was at Victoria's 17th Annual Ska & Reggae Festival at Distrikt Nightclub in June 2016.

Lovecoast blends old soul, fresh pop and hard hitting grooves leave you feeling fresh and nostalgic all at once. Notably the band shares members with one of BC's best ska bands Dope Soda. After a successful 2015 gracing stages like Pemberton Music Festival 2015, Lovecoast has continued to push the envelope playing all over BC including a spot on Victoria's 17th Annual Ska & Reggae Festival playing on the same bill as The Black Seeds from New Zealand. Along with their newly released single ‘The Floor’, Lovecoast played JUNOfest 2016 and were named Band of the Month for April 2016 at The Zone 91.3 in Victoria. They also took home first place in LG104.3fm's VanCOVER contest with their rendition of the Jackson 5's "I Want You Back".

Harvey Paris featuring Eli Bennett is an exciting mix of two of Canada's most promising jazz/worldbeat musicians. Niall Harvey aka Niall Harvey has created and played with various bands in a variety of genres throughout BC. Some of these bands include Bananafish Dance Orchestra, Dope Soda, Bazooka Picnic and more. This summer Harvey backed Juno Award winner Mikey Dangerous at the Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival at Ship Point. As a session musician, Harvey has played sold out shows at both the Chan Center and the National Art Centre, and has performed at numerous music festivals across Canada.

We are also extremely excited to have Eli Bennett perform with Harvey Paris. Eli Bennett is a thirty-five-time internationally award-winning jazz saxophonist and four-time Leo-Nominated film composer. He has performed twice at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles and shared the stage with the likes of Oscar Peterson, Hank Jones, Barry Harris, Terence Blanchard and Dave Holland. He is a two-time-recipient of the CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award from the National Jazz Awards and the Ottawa International Jazz Festival, was awarded the Vancouver Mayor’s Arts Award for music in 2012, is a D’Addario Woodwinds Artist, a Selmer-Paris Endorsing Artist, an AMT Endorsing Artist, a Yamaha Young Performing Artist, and in 2013 was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal from the Premier of BC.

Rebel Selector will play a variety of worldbeat fusion and reggae in between sets.

Victoria BC Ska Society is proud to present a special four band bill featuring THE SLACKERS, The Sentiments, The Valuables and Space Chimp (members of The Dreadnaughts & Fuzzcat) at The Rickshaw Theatre Sat. Dec 3, 2016. THE SLACKERS - Brooklyn's kings of ska are now celebrating 25 successful years of bringing the world joy, peace and protest in all their colours. Through it all the band has produced the greatest volume of albums of any ska/reggae band of the third wave era. Now fittingly they have a new self-titled album called "The Slackers" with more of that Slackers goodness fans across the world have grown to love.

Joining The Slackers on the bill for this special occassion will be Portland Oregon's 9 piece ska/soul juggernauts The Sentiments, Vancouver's The Valuables who are resurrecting the band again for this show and Space Chimp - one of Vancouver's newest ska/reggae creations comprised of members of The Dreadnaughts and Fuzzcat.

Tickets on sale Tuesday, September 6 on-line. Soon after to be on sale at Highlife, Red Cat, and Zulu Records.

It's hard to believe that THE SLACKERS Brooklyn's kings of ska are now celebrating 25 successful years of bringing the world joy, peace and protest in all their colours. Through it all the band has produced the greatest volume of albums of any ska/reggae band of the third wave era. Now fittingly they have a new self-titled album called "The Slackers" with more of that Slackers goodness fans across the world have grown to love.

It was on 4/20 of 2000 that The Slackers first came to Victoria and played at The Limit and ever since that first visit the band has come to many times to count performing with numerous local bands at Victoria's Annual Ska & Reggae Festival and year round presentations.

The guests of honour on this show will be Portland's The Sentiments, Nanaimo's Boomshack and Victoria's own Blackwood Kings!

Saturday Nov.12th join the Victoria BC Ska Society for our All Ages Punk Ska line up celebrating over 20 years of Belvedere. Belvedere is on the road promoting their new album “The Revenge Of The Fifth”. The last time the band made an island appearance was an all ages show in 2005 at the Fernwood Community Centre so we thought it would only be suiting to keep the momentum going with beverage garden included.

Be ready for a night of jam packed performances including the sweet ska/reggae of Victoria's Sweetleaf; local high energy punks Fableway and Vancouver's The Brass Action (they call it brasspunk) - ska-punk with a dash of rockabilly and reggae.

From the band's inception in 1995, Belvedere has continued to push themselves on the road and in the studio. Well over 1000 shows were played in over 25 countries thanks to the help of countless promoters, fans, and friends. Though the band split in 2005, it was clear that these friends would not forget them. In 2011, bridges were mended and reunion shows were announced. Over the next three years Steve, Jason, Scott, and Graham did everything they could to play in as many countries as real life allowed. By the end of 2014, the band decided that it was time to try writing again.

There were two rules when Belvedere decided to write and record their first album in over 12 years. Have a good time, and don’t sound like a bunch of old men..…mission accomplished. “The Revenge Of The Fifth” picks up where their last release “Fast Forward Eats The Tape” left off. Twelve tracks of melodic punk - fast and furious. Though fans of the band will feel a sense of nostalgia for the speed and riffage, they’ll also notice a progression in the song writing. Perhaps even a “juxtaposition” of maturity from 4 immature punkers. The balancing act between raising families and holding steady jobs, and touring the world for 20 years can be heard in many of the lyrics. “Generation Debt” is an apology letter to our children for the world we’ve left to them, while “Carpe per diem” is a summary of basement show tours that spanned the band’s first six years. An expression of hope is found in “Revenge of the fifth” which hinges on the idea that we’re all ultimately responsible for taking care of the human race and the planet; and to stop looking to a higher power for forgiveness or answers.

The addition of Casey Lewis on drums has given the band a new excitement and passion. Fans will be happy to hear the band hasn’t slowed down or toned down the shredding. 2016 looks to be a great year as Belvedere will be hitting South America, Europe, Canada and a few other places. Watch out for May 5th, 2016 when Belvedere’s fifth album, “The Revenge Of The Fifth” hits the real and digital world.

We have taken a nice long rest from an unforgettable summer following Victoria's 17th Annual Ska & Reggae Festival and now we're excited to bring you the first installment of our Fall Fun Season with RUDEFEST 2016. This annual tradition that began four years ago will be just as good as last year. We have ska, reggae, funk and punk all in the mix for dancing and fun from the second you set foot in the hall.

You'll be happy to know as with the tradition with RUDEFEST the show will be all ages w/beverage service for those 19yrs+ w/ID. Those of age will be required to wear an event wristband. And remember to come EARLY so you can catch ALL of the bands. When you have a four band bill you gotta have one start early but that just means there is more fun for everyone!

WESTERN CANADIAN TOUR FOR BLACKWOOD KINGS & DOJA - AUGUST 29 - SEPTEMBER 10

Blackwood Kings (Victoria) and Doja (Abbotsford) have announced an end of summer tour that will take them through the interior of BC into Alberta and back August 29th - September 10th. Tour dates include stops in Nelson, Fernie, Calgary, Revelstoke Vancouver, and Nanaimo.

To wrap the festivities this year, Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival is proud to present a jammed-pack day of all-ages, FREE programming at our Ship Point stage in the heart of the city's Inner Harbour. We're bringing the extra bright, circus Sunday vibes your way this time around with the high-wire circus sound of Argentinian clown brigade, ENTANGADOS! The group promises to bring a ton of energy to the outdoor stage, equal parts thrilling and joyous, perfect for everyone in your family tree. Seattle's YOGOMAN will be providing even more colour, with a heavy dose of reggae grooves delivered with the smooth, calming groove that is reggae's signature. It's a celebration and we're calling out the big, colourful guns for this one.

Keep those classic ska vibes is of the utmost importance and so we also bring you the Ska & Reggae Fest return of Canada's reigning Queen of Ska, THE FABULOUS LOLO (of the Kingpins). This time around she'll be supported by Victoria's own Phonosonics. A valuable protector of ska culture, The Fabulous LoLo has remained an important part of the Canadian ska & reggae scene for nearly two decades and we are so excited to have her back, performing original and classic ska tunes, delivered with the utmost class and style. Victoria Afro-beat outfit MARAFANI WORLD BEAT will open things up with their high-happiness djembe-driven beats.

The Black Seeds (Easy Star Records) are one of Canada's the most beloved reggae bands from New Zealand. Their music is an irresistible blend of reggae with funk, soul, Afro-beat and other worldbeat sounds. The Black Seeds are no strangers to Canada's west coast. The Black Seeds were one of the featured acts at Victoria's 11th Annual Ska Festival and now six years later, the band is making its triumphant return to the Fest! In the time since their last appearance here, The Black Seeds have established themselves as one of the most consistent reggae acts in the world, playing festivals and headlining shows around the globe.

They'll be joined by Western Standard Time Ska Orchestra who are one of North America's premier ska orchestras. The band brings together the best West Coast ska, reggae, and jazz musicians of the last 20 years – to pay tribute to The Skatalites, the extremely influential Jamaican band that has been credited for inventing ska and paved the way for rocksteady and reggae. The band features past and present members of Hepcat, The Aggrolites, Brian Setzer Orchestra, The Debonaires and more + guest musicians from regional bands TBA.

Providing support to this Ska & Reggae spectacular will be a trio of incredible diverse West Coast acts. SweetLeaf will be bringing their hazy roots reggae to the stage in front of their hometown brethren. There's been a long and fruitful relationship between the homies in SweetLeaf and the Victoria Ska Society and we couldn't be more proud of how far these cats have come. LOVEcoast will be bringing their relentlessly sweet soulful pop sounds to the Ship Point stage. Our friends over at 91.3 The Zone honoured the soul rockers recently by naming them Zone's Band of the Month for April 2016 - a well-deserved honour for their accessible and groovy sounds. Last but certainly not least, DJ Dubconcious, one of the West Coast's foremost authorities on all things reggae (Though he recently left us for a new home in Nelson!), will be helping us get down between the live sets with his learned blend of the finest electronic riddims in the land.

To help launch you into the last day of Victoria Ska & Reggae Fest XVII, we've rounded up two of the Island's most fun and energetic bands. DOPE SODA has been a huge part of the Ska & Reggae Festival family since their inception and we are so excited to have them back to bash you in the ears with their excessively heavy and unique brand of ska fun. Joining them to give an extra dose of weirdness are Victoria's funky mystery BOCCE AVOCADO. Their sets are unpredictable jam sessions that keep the audience guessing while they groove. It's a one-two punch of pure, unadulterated fun.

Rocksteady Collective @ Victoria Ska & Reggae Fest XVII Night 2

Rocksteady Collective is back to celebrate its 6th birthday! Once again, the Rocksteady Collective is bringing that good visual art to the festival, showcasing some of the freshest local artists around. Combined with special intimate shows from some of the Fest's musical acts, burlesque (Provided by Amethyst Dance Troupe) and a new culinary component (Creations from chef Eric Holden) this years Rocksteady Collective exhibition promises to thrill and delight all of your humanly senses.

To rock the dance floor on Night 2 we have a quartet of West Coasts performers, presenting the many facets of reggae music and culture. Our resident beat-farmer BOUSADA is sure to bring those groove-heavy vibes to get you shaking. BUCKMAN COE is going to fill up your gypsy soul with his solo-sweetness. MR. FANTASTIK, repping Ghana by way of Vancouver, is going to give you some dense, grimy positive dancehall vibes, while renowned DJ/selector/ DUBCONSCIOUS will be bringing the reggaedancegrooves like nobody's business. Come down and enjoy these special, up-close-and-personal performances while being surrounded by the bright, beautiful creations from new and established artists.

This event is FULLY LICENSED for 19+.

Both nights of Rocksteady Collective shows are $10 at the door with proof of purchase of any other Ska & Reggae Fest show/ticket. $15 without.

Victoria Ska & Reggae Fest SPECIAL TRIPLE BILL WORKSHOP

Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival is committed to helping expand our community's knowledge and appreciation for not just ska and reggae music, but of all the offshoots its spawned, but the art, culture and history that surrounds the music. With that spirit in mind we are proud to once again present workshops featuring presentations from festival artists covering the many facets of what makes this Festival and this culture so special. This second workshop of the festival will have three very different presentations from people involved with the creation and performance of the music.

DUB FX - The Independent Musician’s Balance
Artists are external sponges that open themselves to a wide breadth of cultures, viewpoints, historical data and contemporary works. They do this in an effort to provide a fresh perspective that is accessible to their audience and follows their previous works in a comprehensive manner. All of this work can be overwhelming but it is the heart of what makes artists such a passionate group. There is, however, the business side of being an artist and ensuring what one does is sustainable. Balancing both the creative side and business end of an artist's career is often tiresome.

How do you find the a good balance between creativity and business? How do you explore the nuance between what is satisfying creatively and what will sell? Can that be the key to artistic success that does not take a personal toll? Join international recording artist Dub FX as he helps to answer these questions and provides some insight into what drives him artistically and how this drive can be attributed to his career trajectory in a realistic manner.

WESTERN STANDARD TIME SKA ORCHESTRA - Collaborations in Ska
Artists are typically visionaries that have to work to make their fantasies exist in reality. There are many constraints in this process including time, money, technology, physical space, skill and accessibility. This process becomes more involved when two or more artists with unique styles and visions, converge to produce something that becomes more than the sum of its parts. Collaboration happens in all forms of art but is especially prevalent in the world of ska and reggae.

One of the most accomplished collaborative projects to come out of the ska and reggae world in the past twenty years is Western Standard Time Ska Orchestra from LA. This twenty piece monolith has a style that is itself a blatant product of collaboration, mixing big band swing with early Jamaican ska and rocksteady. The band has incorporated members of great ska bands Jump With Joey, Hepcat, The Aggrolites, See Spot, Los Hooligans, The Debonaires, The Expanders, Kingston 10, and Yeska, to mention a few.

So how do you get 20 different musicians from different backgrounds, with different artistic visions to work toward a common idea? How do they constructively and diplomatically deal with the creative conflict and debate that will inevitably arise when each artist attempts to improve the direction of the combined effort? Join Western Standard Time Ska Orchestra as they discuss their own history, their creative process and collaborations that they've admired throughout the history of ska and reggae at large.

BRIAN WALLACE of SUBPAC - Tactile Audio Technology and Jamaica’s contribution to Bass
SubPac is a patent-pending tactile audio technology – it transfers low frequencies directly to your body and provides you with a new physical dimension to the musical experience. Join Western Standard Time bassist Brian Wallace as he discusses his role in founding this technology and the journey that brought him there. The idea of the SubPac would not be possible without the foundation that was laid down by the pioneers of Jamaican Music. He will also discuss the experience of using the technology in the creation of the latest Western Standard Time record. This workshop will also include a demonstration of the cutting edge technology.
http://thesubpac.com/what-is-the-subpac/

Three years ago Dub FX (AUS) graced our all-ages stage at Ship Point (Inner Harbour) and put on a performance for the ages and this year he returns to bring back the goods to our vibe-hungry reggae massive. Full of improvisational, creative energy and the DIY spirit that has powered Ska & Reggae culture since its inception. Taking those aesthetics and a love for the electronic music culture that has exploded in recent years, Dub FX has been thrilling audiences the world over with his wholly unique style, unbound by conventional genre constrictions. His style – the ability to sample, loop and distort his own voice – was forged through countless hours performing for the masses on the streets throughout Europe. Even as his stages and status in the global music community have grown, Dub FX has managed to retain that intimate, small-show feel. Whether he’s throwing in bits of reggae, hip-hop or drum ‘n’ bass, his sunny, positive vibes keeps the crowd beaming. Joining Dub FX for this outdoor extravaganza are Juno-winning reggae sensation Mikey Dangerous (JAM/CAN) and Victoria hip-hop mischief makers Illvis Freshley.

Mikey Dangerous, repping Jamaica by way of Montreal, is doing the big work, keeping the real roots of reggae music strong and tended here in Canada. Songs like “Don’t Go Pretending,” “Wake Up!” and “Higher than High” have helped him achieve and maintain acclaim both with Canada and out in the larger reggae world. His appearance this year marks his long-overdue Ska & Reggae Fest debut and we couldn’t be more excited to bring his infectious energy to our beautiful audience.

Speaking of infectious energy, there might be no group on the current west coast scene more dripping with it than Illvis Freshly. Seemingly coming out of nowhere, the boys in Illvis Freshly have taken Vancouver Island by storm over the last year, rocking audiences up and down with their ultra-funky blend of bouncy electronic beats, biting live guitar and playful, dexterous rapping. Also making their Ska & Reggae Fest debut, Illvis Freshly is bringing a roster of friends to help them get the crowd jumping. We can’t wait to see who or what they have in store for their special summer surprise!

This show is all ages and fully licensed for those 19 years + with ID.

AMY WINEHOUSE EXTRAVAGANZA (A special tribute to Amy featuring members of

Back by popular demand, Victoria BC Ska Society is excited to once again present an AMY WINEHOUSE EXTRAVAGANZA on Victoria's 17th Annual Ska & Reggae Festival featuring an ALL STAR HOUSE BAND featuring members of Vancouver's The Ballantynes, The Valuables, We are Machines, Nanaimo's Boomshack and a special guest appearance by The Fabulous LoLo of The Kingpins. The show will be topped off by drag performances by Shanda Leer! Last time the show sold out so fast and there were so many people that didn't get in we thought it was a perfect idea to host this showcase again on the festival.

Why Amy? Well in the short time Amy Winehouse was alive she managed to bring music that captured the hearts and ears of fans spanning from R&B, jazz, soul, ska, reggae and pop. She was the kind of artist that any song she would sing would be revered from fans of several genres.

And why honour her on our festival? While Amy Winehouse's love for R&B was her main influence she was also a close friend of the ska and reggae genres and some of its most revered creators. She created songs in her repetoire that covered legends such as Toots and the Maytals and appeared on live performances with The Specials. She also had close ties to Damian Marley and before she died had plans to collaborate with him on future recordings.

This show on Friday, June 24th at Sugar will aim to capture the spirit of Amy Winehouse in all her various colours. The energy and talent of the performers at this show will capture the spirit and energy of Amy Winehouse and will do this show justice.

With the 17th annual Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival just over a month away, we are pleased to announce the continuation of the Rocksteady Collective for it's 6th consecutive year. This exhibition is our visual arts component to the festival. This year's Rocksteady Collective will feature many artists, with a variety of mediums. This will be the very first year the Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival will feature culinary arts and metalwork.

New Venue
We are excited to be holding this year's gallery at The Odd Fellows Hall, home of the prestigious Odd Fellows. Completed in 1897, this unique building was designed by the same architect as City Hall, and offers a timeless atmosphere.

Launch Party - FREE admission!
Check out our Rocksteady Collective Launch Party on Friday June 24th from 5-7PM, located at The Odd Fellows Hall at 1315 Douglas Street. Come browse the art, enjoy complimentary culturally significant appetizers with a flare of culinary arts, and watch our video arts presentation from the Wolfpack Project.

Rocksteady Showcase
This year we will be featuring two Rocksteady shows, both held at The Odd Fellows Hall. Friday June 24th we have Compassion Gorilla, w/ Cheko & The Lion Rockers, and Saturday June 25th we have Bousada w/ Buckman Coe and Mr. Fantastik. Tickets only available at door. $10 with Full Fest pass or proof of other ticket purchase, or $15 for those not attending any other festival shows. VIP get in FREE!

Special Mentions:

We are proud to once again welcome back Verse to the Rockteady Collective's list of artists. His murals show a unique blend of portrait street art and wild style graffiti, and are always a festival favourite.

We are excited to welcome back Amethyst Dance Troup who are sure to tantalize our audience with choreographed dance and adult entertainment. A fan favourite from last year!

Your host for the evening will be none other than the festival's Rocksteady Collective Coordinator, Sean "Flynch" Behnsen, our society's big-bearded, band interviewing, slice of pecan pie.

Rocksteady Collective @ Victoria Ska & Reggae Fest XVII Night 1

The Rocksteady Collective celebrates its 6th birthday this year! Once again presenting some of the most exciting local visual artists, burlesque (Provided by Amethyst Dance Group), culinary delights (Provided by chef Eric Holden) and, once again, a chance to get up close and intimate with top-flight performers bringing you the tastiest in reggae dance grooves.

This first night we'll be rocking out with local world-beat troubadours Compassion Gorilla and Cowichan valley roots reggae warriors, Cheko & the Lion Rockers. Come get down with these two ultra groovy bands while being surrounded by beautiful, unique art. Our new venue at Odd Fellow's Hall welcomes ALL AGES of our Ska & Reggae family! Also LICENSED for those adult beverages as well!

Rocksteady Collective shows are $10 with proof of purchase of any festival ticket. $15 without. Cash at the door.

Rocksteady Collective @ Victoria Ska & Reggae Fest XVII Night 1

Rocksteady Collective is back to celebrate its 6th birthday! Once again, the Rocksteady Collective is bringing that good visual art to the festival, showcasing some of the freshest local artists around. Combined with special intimate shows from some of the Fest's musical acts, burlesque (Provided by Amethyst Dance Troupe) and a new culinary component (Creations from chef Eric Holden) this years Rocksteady Collective exhibition promises to thrill and delight all of your humanly senses.

Night 1 features performances from local world-beat troubadours Compassion Gorilla and Cowichan Valley roots reggae warriors, Cheko & the Lion Rockers. It's going to be a night filled with colourful sights and groovy delights. Come down and enjoy these special, up-close-and-personal performances while being surrounded by the bright, beautiful creations from new and established artists.

This event FULLY LICENSED for 19+.

Both nights of Rocksteady Collective shows are $10 at the door with proof of purchase of any other Ska & Reggae Fest show/ticket. $15 without.

Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra have been long time Ska & Reggae Fest alumni since they first formed as a band in the early to mid 2000s. But it’s been more than four years since they graced a Victoria Ska & Reggea Fest stage and we couldn’t be more thrilled to host this festival show for Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra as a home-coming celebration for the Victoria 5-piece. With instrumentation that includes accordions, violins and a variety of other folk staples, TMO is guaranteed to get the crowd moving to their stories of adventure, love and heartbreak. Combining that folk sensibility with bouncy ska rhythms and a big dollop of gypsy soul, the band represents the deep cultural melting pot that is the West Coast.

Joining TMO for this West Coast dance party is Vancouver’s mighty Mud Funk. This collection of soul troubadours is one of the most exciting bands on the coast right now, delivering their classicist soul sound with a heavy injection of grime and bottom end, giving the 9-piece the extra kick that serious dancers need. Earlier this year when the Victoria Ska Society presented the legendary Booker T. Jones at Vancouver’s Vogue Theatre, we couldn’t think of anyone we wanted to open the festivities more than Mud Funk and the band delivered in spades, putting on an unforgettable performance in front of a packed hometown crowd. Together with TMO, this promises to be one of the best live dance parties of the summer!

For those in our family who like their Ska & Reggae vibes with a little extra kick, we've put together an extra-spicy night just for you for Victoria Ska & Reggae Fest XVII. We've gone over to the mainland to hunt down and extract legendary Vancouver metal skankers NINJASPY to melt your face while you shake your rump. Long untended have been the bonds between reggae and harder music like punk and metal. For years these underground cultures were more than friendly with each other - trading musical inspiration back and forth, coming together over their shared lower, working-class roots. Through their relentless touring and genre-crushing approached to ska, Ninjaspy has established itself as one of the great protectors of this bond between cultures, a bridge between long lost friends. We're so happy to have these hard-rocking ska warriors back to help remind us of our lost brethren.

Joining Ninjaspy for this rocking celebration are two of Victoria's most energetic, frenetic and kinetic bands: weirdo funksters THE PARTY ON HIGH STREET and genre-blending extraordinaires MORE THAN MAYHEM. Both bands feature groove-heavy instrumentation, mind-jogging lyrics and an unparalleled sense of fun. With big guitars and rhythms to match, this night promises to be unlike anything else at this year's Victoria Ska & Reggae Fest. A must-catch for all you distortion funk junkies out there.

VICTORIA SKA & REGGAE FEST XVII FREE INTERNATIONAL SHOWCASE

Every year Victoria Ska & Reggae Fest presents a series of free shows at our Ship Point stage, highlighting some of the finest new names in music, both nationally and internationally. Victoria Ska & Reggae Fest XVII is no exception. This is the first of two jam-packed nights of some of the finest live band dance music you're going to see all summer. Headlining this first night spectacular is ORQUESTRA BRASAILERIA DE MUSICA JAMAICNA. This powerful 9-piece blasts out heavy, fun-soaked ska rhythms that never fail to get the crowd pumped up and moving. The band draws inspiration not just from classic Jamaican riddims, but from horror and sci-fi movies as well, imbuing it all with a keen sense for capital “F” Fun. Joining OBMJ for this intense outdoor ska-session will be Portland's own funky ska soldiers, THE SENTIMENTS. The band has established themselves as one of the Northwest's most vital ska outfits, injecting everything they do with good, healthy doses of soul and funk grooves.

Adding more support to the evening are friends of the Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival, old and new. Our old friends in BLACKBERRY WOOD make their triumphant return to the Ska & Reggae Fest, returning from their endless and relentless weirdo-troubadouring around BC and beyond. Their ridiculously high-energy gypsy folk stylings create a dance party wherever the band appears, without fail. *Warning* Trying to stand still during a Blackberry Wood show may result in serious injury. And making their Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival debut is SKARATE KID, storming out of Tel Aviv, Israel. A fine example of the global power of Ska & Reggae music, Skarate Kid has been doing the big work, spreading the culture around their home country and beyond and we can't be more excited to present their Canadian debut to our lovely Ska & Reggae Massive.

Roots of Ska Workshop

"I have heard the term "ska purist", understand how it is used, yet the term itself begs the question - what is pure ska? Is there such a thing?

In truth, original Jamaican ska was a fusion of various musical elements that mixed together to form a sound that is instantly recognizable, yet which is most accurately one link in a chain of musical evolution has that continued forward through rock steady and reggae to modern dancehall influencing many non-Jamaican styles along the way.

In this workshop, we will investigate the pre-ska musical styles that contributed to the birth of ska music as a recognizable style in its own right."
-Chris Murray

VICTORIA SKA & REGGAE FESTIVAL XVII Kick off

Canada's Best Coast will be celebrating in Pomp and Pride Wednesday, June 22, 2016 at Ship Point Inner Harbour here in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada when TOOTS AND THE MAYTALS makes his long awaited return to Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival XVII. It's been four years since the last time Toots and the Maytals graced our marquee stage at Ship Point in Victoria's Inner Harbour and we couldn't be more proud to bring him to our Ska & Reggae family! Toots Hibbert was there at the forefront of the cultural movement that birthed ska and reggae culture. For more than a half century Toots has remained one of reggae's great ambassadors, his earthy voice one of the most recognizable in the music's history. His catalogue of classic songs, including "Monkey Man," "5446 That's My Number" and "Funky Kingston," remain staples of reggae music, guaranteed to paint a smile across the face of all who hear them. His last visit to the Victoria Ska & Reggae Fest was a show for the ages and this year promises to be even bigger!

Joining Toots and the Maytals will be Grand Prairie's reggae kings Tasman Jude, funky Victoria mischief makers The Leg-Up Program and Comox Valley beat digger Mt. Eliah. In their short lifespan Tasman Jude has established themselves as one of Canada's most important reggae acts, ambassadors and protectors of the culture that we all love so much. The Leg-Up Program is one of Victoria's funnest acts and will provide a blast of energy with their huge wall-of-sound approach to funk and hip-hop. Mt. Eliah will be providing the beats and music in between sets with his crowd-pleasing blend of world-beat rhythms and bouncy electronic grooves.

This festival showcase "Official Toots & the Maytals Afterparty" is perfect for fans of ska and reggae past and present. Chris Murray is the oldest Ska & Reggae Fest alumni on this year's festival as he played on Victoria's 1st Ska Fest in August 2000. For this show he will re-unite with New Victorians: Jules Charles, Christian Stevenson and Sam Tallo (King Apparatus) to make a full band to bring more depth to his already soulful music.

Performing alongside Chris Murray & the New Victorians will be Downtown Mischief - Victoria's funk, hip hop, soul collective comprised of some of the most talented and fun musicians in Victoria! Together they form a unique collective of musicians who met through the raw energy of Friday night jam parties. They have since evolved through a fluctuating community of members and friends to form a driving, pulsing machine that explodes with life on stage. An adventurous west coast lifestyle fuels their inspiration and it is apparent in their music. This emerging band will not only captivate you with their beats, smiles and words, but get you moving and grooving on the dance floor!

To round out the bill, Ali & the Budz will give the audience conscious dancehall and roots reggae.

Victoria BC Ska Society is excited to present yet another unforgetable On the Road to Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival experience when Hamilton, New Zealand's Maori reggae warriors KATCHAFIRE return to Whistler. Katchafire are no strangers to our community. It was in 2010 that an on-going partnership formed when the band came and did a west coast swing that saw them do shows in Vancouver and Whistler in support of one of the headlining spots at Victoria's 11th Annual Ska Festival at Ship Point Inner Harbour. The band returned in 2012 and headlined at Ship Point Inner Harbour again with Leroy Sibbles of The Heptones and others. Their last Canadian west coast appearance was in 2013 at Victoria's 14th Annual Ska Festival where they played to a packed venue alongside David HIllyard & the Rocksteady 7.

Now on a west coast tour we are once again excited to welcome them back to Canada.

***Victoria BC Ska Society Members' On the Road to Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival Special for a limited time!*** $22.50 for a limited time! Paid VBCSS Members will receive e-mail with promotional offer.

KATCHAFIRE
Hailing from the mighty H-Town (Hamilton), Aoteoroa (New Zealand), KATCHAFIRE, have become a global roots reggae phenomenon..The all Maori Reggae band, bring their pure classic sound to music lovers worldwide, delivering one of the most authentic Reggae shows around today.

Four highly succesful studio albums, mulitple awards, platinum sales, highest selling singles, and the list goes on.. Their sound is built on the foundations of classic roots reggae with an R’n’B and funk rub, mashing modern dancehall and slinky reggae pop. Katchafire has crafted a universal vibe, capturing something truly special in a diversity of instrumentation and clarity of sound.

Built on a family movement, It all started when lead guitarist Grenville Bell, father of Lead Singer Logan Bell & Drummer / singer / songwriter Jordan Bell, moved into an apartment building in town with his then teenage sons where they could make music all night, and the rest is history.. Countless jams and sell out concerts later they are now an 8 piece collective of multi talented songwriters and musicians and have become a staple on the Californian and Pacific Roots scenes. The fire just continues to get hotter following invitations to acclaimed events such as Glastonbury, opening circuits through Europe, Portugal and Brazil, as demand continues to grow for the non-stop feel good vibe of their incredible live shows.
Their popularity and critical acclaim has seen them share the stage with artists from Damien Marley, Steel Pulse, UB40, The Wailers, to Michael Franti and Spearhead and many more.. They've garnered respect from the likes of Don Letts (acclaimed documentary maker and Clash tour DJ), music journalist David Katz, and have been championed on the airwaves by radio legends such as Steve Barker (BBC), Charlie Gillet (BBC) and David Rodigan (Kiss FM and others)..to name a few of a very long list.

MYSTIC ROOTS
Mystic Roots also known as the backing band for the legendary Pato Banton. With two feet solidly in reggae, the band seamlessly juggles elements of dancehall, Hip-Hop, EDM, pop, and a taste of rock. The band is always sharpening their evolving musical arrangements of vocal harmonies that are made richer by the groups’ female/male dynamic. The music and lyrics are catchy and upbeat, yet with a powerful, positive message.

On the Road to Ska & Reggae Fest 2016!

Friday, May 6th at Sugar Nightclub, Victoria BC Ska Society is proud to bring back KATCHAFIRE - one of the Island's favourite reggae bands! Katchafire from Hamilton, New Zealand is returning after a three year hiatus since they last played at Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival in July of 2013. Joining Katchafire will be Mystic Roots (backing band for Pato Banton) and Bousada - riddim and bass candy looping specialist!

Taco Party!

Worlds of music and cultures will collide on March 25th for a big Taco Party !! And where else does one enjoy Tacos, but at Norway House ! Come and enjoy delicious $2 tacos, beer, cider, and music, in a lovely venue.

THE WAILERS RETURN TO VICTORIA!

Victoria BC Ska Society is proud to present the second of two Island shows with The Wailers - world reggae legends on Sun. March 13th at Distrikt Nightclub. The Wailers are returning to Victoria after their sold out performance a few years ago with reggae historian - Roger Steffens.

Together with Bob Marley, The Wailers have sold over 250 million albums and have played to an estimated 24 million people across the globe performing an average of 200 dates a year. The anchor of the band is Aston “Family Man”Barrett, who in addition to being Marley’s most trusted lieutenant and co-producer, played on countless other classic reggae hits throughout the seventies. The authenticity he brings to the Wailers’ sound is indisputable and yet today’s line-up combines old school know-how with lead vocals from one of Jamaica’s most exciting new singers. The Wailers are undoubtedly the world’s premier reggae and world music group who bring high energy shows to fans across the globe.

Outside of their groundbreaking work with Marley, the Wailers have also played or performed with international acts like Sting, the Fugees, Stevie Wonder, Carlos Santana, and Alpha Blondy, as well as reggae legends such as Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, and Burning Spear. As the greatest living exponents of Jamaica’s reggae tradition, the Wailers have completed innumerable tours, playing to a fan base that continues to grow and expand as new generations of fans are exposed to the music.

THE WAILERS IN NANAIMO - REGGAE ON THE ISLAND (All Ages)

Nanaimo Reggae Massive and Victoria BC Ska Society are proud to present THE WAILERS for the first time in Nanaimo at Beban Park Auditorium on Friday, March 11, 2016. Bringing The Wailers to Nanaimo has been a long time in the making and we are so happy that we can offer this concert ALL AGES to the Island!

Tickets go on sale Monday, November 9, 2015 at 10am.

Together with Bob Marley, The Wailers have sold over 250 million albums and have played to an estimated 24 million people across the globe performing an average of 200 dates a year. The anchor of the band is Aston “Family Man”Barrett, who in addition to being Marley’s most trusted lieutenant and co-producer, played on countless other classic reggae hits throughout the seventies. The authenticity he brings to the Wailers’ sound is indisputable and yet today’s line-up combines old school know-how with lead vocals from one of Jamaica’s most exciting new singers. The Wailers are undoubtedly the world’s premier reggae and world music group who bring high energy shows to fans across the globe.

Outside of their groundbreaking work with Marley, the Wailers have also played or performed with international acts like Sting, the Fugees, Stevie Wonder, Carlos Santana, and Alpha Blondy, as well as reggae legends such as Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, and Burning Spear. As the greatest living exponents of Jamaica’s reggae tradition, the Wailers have completed innumerable tours, playing to a fan base that continues to grow and expand as new generations of fans are exposed to the music.

Victoria BC Ska Society members, Board and staff are thrilled to have the opportunity to experience BOOKER T. JONES - an act that represents such an important part of soul music history past and present. Booker T. Jones' work with Booker T & the M.G'S backing seminal artists such as Otis Redding and Wilson Pickett who have influenced thousands of musicians and fans in the ska/rocksteady/reggae scene world-wide since the inception of ska and rocksteady genres in the early 1960s.

It can be argued that it was Booker T. Jones who set the cast for modern soul music and is largely responsible for its rise and enduring popularity. On classic Stax hits like “Green Onions,” “Hang ‘Em High,” “Time Is Tight,” and “Melting Pot” the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Musicians Hall of Fame inductee and GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award recipient pushed the music’s boundaries, refined it to its essence and then injected it into the nation’s bloodstream.

While Booker T. Jones is most known for his lead role on the B3 organ in Booker T & the MGS he has continued to record with the whose who of contemporary soul, jazz, rock n' roll, hip hop and Latin based artists. In 2009 Booker T Jones was featured playing the B3 on Rancid's album Let the Dominoes Fall on the track "Up to No Good." In 2011 Booker T Jones recorded his ninth studio album titled The Road to Memphis on the ANTI record label. On the album he is backed by hip hop/jazz juggernauts The Roots. A fan favourite on the album played by Booker and the Roots is "Everything is Everything" written by Lauryn Hill. This album also features songs with Yimi Yames of My Morning Jacket; Matt Berninger of the National and Sharon Jones of Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings who sing a duet "Representing Memphis" and Lou Reed on the track "The Bronx."

His tenth and most recent album Sound the Alarm 2013 marked his much anticipated return to Stax Records. Sound the Alarm, finds the Hammond B3 organ master looking ahead yet again, laying down his distinctive bedrock grooves amid a succession of sparkling collaborations with some of contemporary R&B’s most gifted young voices.The album features guests appearances by Poncho Sanchez, Gary Clark Jr. Estelle, Anthony Hamilton and Vintage Trouble.

JESSE ROPER

Every day more excitement for Jesse Roper grows throughout Canada and beyond as his explosive live show that compliment the genuine qualitites of his music are discovered. Since his first critically acclaimed album release Son of John, Roper followed up with his much anticipated sophomore album Red Bird in early 2015. Since that release Roper has raised his profile to new heights. Before 2015 summer's festival season, he sold out The Imperial in Vancouver with colleagues Jon and Roy and Frankie. And when summer arrived he played on the Burnaby Roots and Blues Festivals supporting both Lee Fields and the Expressions and The Sheepdogs. Notably he was also a main act for Rock The Shores which featured The Black Keys and other popular bands.

Starting the guitar at six years old, Jesse soon mastered songs of heroes like Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin by ear. Battling with stage fright, he was thrown out onto the stage with sweaty palms and a queasy stomach, which was quickly overshadowed by the audience's overwhelmingly positive reaction. Since that time Jesse Roper has grown into the musician he is today. He appreciates legends before him such as Stevie Ray Vaughan, but his music remains current with the organic rawness of his vocals and guitar over shadowing any preconceived stereotypes made of blues musicians. His youthful energy captivates audiences while his knock out live performance blows them away.

MUD FUNK (featuring Tonye Aganaba)

Will Lloyd (guitar) and Adriana Parejas (lead vocals) have worked hard to stay true to their roots when composing for this multi talented 9 piece R&B soul big band. More musical creativity and leadership come courtesy of Paul Steppin Steffes (bass) and Chris Couto (drums) whose musical inspirations come from other successful Vancouver reggae and worldbeat groups such as Giraffe Aftermath and Kutapira. Kevin Lee (saxophone & keyboards) has a strong history in funk and soul which led him to tour Asia with his previous group Milk, and Kinta Maeda's Big Brass Sounds (trombone & trumpet). Gospel inspired harmonies warm up your soul with sweet backup vocals from Marina Lagace and Alison Mcclare.

Although Mud Funk are relatively new on the scene the experience and energy of their group is extensive. Mud Funk have played several sold out performances this year in Vancouver including the TD Vancouver Jazz Festival presented by Coastal Jazz Society.

Tonye Aganaba

Tonye Aganaba will be our special guest performing with Mud Funk on this most historic evening. Tonye is one of Canada's most promising R&B, hip hop soul performers performing on various large festivals, charity events and high profile concerts throughout North America. Tonye Aganaba performs frequently with her band Tonye Aganaba and the Foundation and also as "Magic T" in her hip hop, reggae R&B group The Red, Gold and Green Machine (LA/Vancouver). Tonye's infectious spirit and lush voice ooze with the undeniable essence of love, tenderness and togetherness, the very spirit which infects her favourite albums from childhood. As her family moved from one small town to the next, it was artists like Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston who were her steadfast friends. They not only taught her how to sing and to move, but how to live creatively, and how to express herself honestly through the universal language of music.

Victoria BC Ska Society members, Board and staff are thrilled to have the opportunity to experience BOOKER T. JONES - an act that represents such an important part of soul music history past and present. Booker T. Jones' work with Booker T & the M.G'S backing seminal artists such as Otis Redding and Wilson Pickett who have influenced thousands of musicians and fans in the ska/rocksteady/reggae scene world-wide since the inception of ska and rocksteady genres in the early 1960s.

It can be argued that it was Booker T. Jones who set the cast for modern soul music and is largely responsible for its rise and enduring popularity. On classic Stax hits like “Green Onions,” “Hang ‘Em High,” “Time Is Tight,” and “Melting Pot” the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Musicians Hall of Fame inductee and GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award recipient pushed the music’s boundaries, refined it to its essence and then injected it into the nation’s bloodstream.
While Booker T. Jones is most known for his lead role on the B3 organ in Booker T & the MGS he has continued to record with the whose who of contemporary soul, jazz, rock n' roll, hip hop and Latin based artists. In 2009 Booker T Jones was featured playing the B3 on Rancid's album Let the Dominoes Fall on the track "Up to No Good." In 2011 Booker T Jones recorded his ninth studio album titled The Road to Memphis on the ANTI record label. On the album he is backed by hip hop/jazz juggernauts The Roots. A fan favourite on the album played by Booker and the Roots is "Everything is Everything" written by Lauryn Hill. This album also features songs with Yimi Yames of My Morning Jacket; Matt Berninger of the National and Sharon Jones of Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings who sing a duet "Representing Memphis" and Lou Reed on the track "The Bronx."
His tenth and most recent album Sound the Alarm 2013 marked his much anticipated return to Stax Records. Sound the Alarm, finds the Hammond B3 organ master looking ahead yet again, laying down his distinctive bedrock grooves amid a succession of sparkling collaborations with some of contemporary R&B’s most gifted young voices.The album features guests appearances by Poncho Sanchez, Gary Clark Jr. Estelle, Anthony Hamilton and Vintage Trouble.

Did the thought ever cross your mind that early Jamaican rooted music such as rocksteady and reggae music was rooted in American soul and R&B? There are many cultural and musical reasons for this but for now our goal is just to highlight this fact and to see where it takes us.

Knowing the two are connected, with the anticipation of Stax Records' Booker T. Jones coming to Victoria and Vancouver Feb 12th and 13th, we thought why not celebrate his westcoast arrival with a Stax Records showcase with a little variation? - a rub a dub/rocksteady one that is.

This idea is not a new concept but it's a concept that should be brought to light as a reminder that there were a lot of Jamaican ex-pats that came to Canada and put their own twist on both popular and underground soul & funk artists from the US. This trend was well documented through the Jamaica to Toronto: Soul, Funk & Reggae 1967 - 1974 project which included an album (created on Light in the Attic Records) and a 36 page document that talks about the movement. Kevin Plummer wrote an article just over 8 years ago called Toronto's Lost Soul & Reggae Stars Revisited which he states, "For these expatriate and immigrant artists, Jamaica lived on as a presence in their music. They fused Caribbean influences with soul and rhythm & blues." Later in the article he explains bands like The Cougars that mixed soul and rocksteady were in high demand on the club circuit in the mid to late 1960s in Toronto. Their version of the song "I Wish it Could Rain" by the Temptations epitomizes the way these Toronto musicians melded reggae and rocksteady rhythms with soul and funk to create a distinctive new sound. (Source: http://torontoist.com/2007/12/torontos_lost_s/)

For the purpose of this event it will be it will be Victoria's The Phonosonics that will perform your favourite Stax Records songs in a rocksteady/reggae style. The Truth Soundsystem (soul/rocksteady wax vault keepers and killer DJs) will guide us through the world of Stax Records on wax during interludes throughout the night.

The Phonosonics is lead by Spencer Cleave (formerly of Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra) who is the lead vocalist/guitar and sax player. He is supported by a solid rhythm section that includes Al Udell on bass, Jesse Manason on drums + Eric Leydon on keys and trumpet, and Katie Hegan on vocals.

http://www.phonosonics.ca

TRIBUTE TO AMY WINEHOUSE (featuring an All Star Band with members from The Ballantynes, The Valuables, Yukon Blonde, Chance Lovett, Boomshack and more)

Victoria BC Ska Society is excited to present an ALL STAR HOUSE BAND featuring members of The Ballantynes, Yukon Blonde, Chance Lovett & The Broken Hearted, The Valuables & Sh-Shakes with, Boomshack and Young Royal of Boss Takeover for a night in honour of Amy Winehouse. Why Amy? Well in the short time Amy Winehouse was alive she managed to bring music that captured the hearts and ears of fans spanning from R&B, jazz, soul, ska, reggae and pop. She was the kind of artist that any song she would sing would be revered from fans of several genres.

While Amy Winehouse's love for R&B was her main influence she was also a close friend of the ska and reggae genres and some of its most revered creators. She created songs in her repetoire that covered legends such as Toots and the Maytals and appeared on live performances with The Specials. She also had close ties to Damian Marley and before she died had plans to collaborate with him on future recordings.

This show on Friday, January 29th at Lucky Bar will aim to capture the spirit of Amy Winehouse in all her various colours. The Ballantynes w/Chance Lovett (formerly of The Chantrelles and now with Chance Lovett & The Broken Hearted) and Boomshack's musical styles capture the spirit and energy of Amy Winehouse that will do this show justice. Young Royal of Boss Takeover will perform interludes before, in between and after the sets.

Deck the halls with music! Rejoice and look forward to another unforgettable year from your favourite festival. Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival XVII rides again for the 17th straight year June 22 - 26, 2016 at Ship Point Inner Harbour and various other venues throughout Victoria.

Once again we are pleased to present our much anticipated Holiday Full Fest Pass (must be 19yrs+ to purchase). The "Holiday Pass" is the same as the Full Fest Pass but the difference is you get it for a rock bottom rate (basically the cost of two or three festival shows). This pass will enable you to enjoy all outdoor and indoor at our marquee venues and other smaller venues.

And new this year are Holiday V.I.P Passes which give you access to all the shows the Full Fest Pass provides PLUS access to our V.I.P section (last year called The Jupiter Lounge) which offers side stage access; separate V.I.P bar and lounge areas (limited capacity). Other perks with the V.I.P Passes will be announced in 2016.

Offer ends January 8, 2016! Take advantage of this amazing deal while it lasts!

This show will be the last one for our fall season. Victoria BC Ska Society is excited to present Arizona's punk/reggae outfit Authority Zero for their Canadian tour kick off alongside Victoria's Everybody Left, Vancouver's Jesse LeBourdais (with full band) and Versus the World from Santa Barbara California. Authority Zero had a memorable debut in Victoria last May 2014 and they're looking forward to playing on the Island again as part of their Canadian tour.

Mesa, AZ based punk rock royalty AUTHORITY ZERO has managed to weather the music industry storm and endure living on the road away from friends and loved ones for almost 2 decades. With four studio albums under their belt, two live acoustic albums, and two EP’s, they appear to be just getting started. Over the past few years the band has broke ground internationally, beginning with shows in Japan, followed by performances at Belgium’s legendary Groezrock, Spain’s Resurrection Fest and UK’s Rebellion Fest amongst countless other European festivals. With tours through Russia and Australia in the works, AUTHORITY ZERO continues to seek new destinations to spread their live show and music.

Victoria BC Ska Society is proud to bring together The Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra, The Party On High Street and Fox Glove as a finale to our fall season - Sat. November 21st at White Eagle Hall. This show will be for all ages to enjoy (Bar for those 19yrs+).

This mixture of bands will offer something for everyone. Both The Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra (TMO) and The Party on High Street have music that will make you dance with the high energy folk, funk and a little ska but TMO has also developed a potent musical repertoire with beautiful folk ballads building on their previous albums.

The Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra's new album "LOVE" about that much-storied sentiment that is certainly no stranger to a song. What makes The Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra’s love songs unique is that it collects differing experiences into one harmonized narrative, teasing apart the layers and revealing how hard good people work to be good to each other. It’s an album that speaks to the consequences of love in its many forms, seeing it as both sugar and lemons, suggesting that to have one without the other would make the recipe incomplete.

The Party on High Street have been a longtime musical fixture in Victoria's music scene. They are a lively dance-inducing mix of funk, folk and jazz fuelled rockn' roll, joyfully delivered and presented like a funbomb waiting to make you jive. "The Party" sings of peculiar youthful enchantments, weird love, and some of the odder aspects of life.

Touring and playing live shows has fed their spirits and stroked their souls since the beginning. Every summer the band travels further into the Canadian festival scene playing the campfires and stages, bars and backyards.

A quote to describe The Party on High Street is as follows: "If George Clinton and Tom Waits had a love child, raised it on a music commune and then sent it to folk festival summer camp.."

Finally Victoria BC Ska Society are also proud to present Fox Glove for the first time on this show.

Fox Glove is an all-female trio based in Victoria BC that brings together elements of folk and alt pop to create a genre they like to call “Fox Pop.” Renn Madeleine Bibeau, Claire Butterfield, and Chelsea Kanstrup have very different voices and ranges, but together they create a unified blend that has been compared to that of bands like the Staves and the Good Lovelies.

These three foxes met in the University of Victoria Vocal Jazz ensemble in 2011, and struck up a musical relationship that couldn’t be ignored. Accompanying themselves with a suitcase-full of instruments, including guitar, ukulele, and banjo, Fox Glove entertains their live audiences, filling in the spaces with banter that has caused listeners to (cheekily) suggest a career switch to stand-up comedy.
Giving back to the community is a passion for these three ladies. They love performing at fundraisers, and playing music for the greater good!

Exco Levi quickly took hold of the Canadian reggae music scene after emigrating from Jamaica in 2005. His strong writing skills complement his lyrical prowess and delivery. He continues to show his range and musical intellect through songs like the Canadian Anthem, “Oh Canada”, the nostalgic “Sweet Jamaica” and the love ballad “Same ole Words”. His songs have given voice to a nation and helped forge an entirely new style of music and rhythm that is revolutionary, fiery, scathing, loving and stinging.

His songs are just as potent on his lips as they are on his Cds. Exco’s ability to quickly engage and convince his audience makes him very appealing. This has led to him being in high demand for colourful collaborations. He has worked with top Djs and promoters worldwide. This musical “Midas” turns any song he touches to pure gold.

Exco Levi plays on major festivals throughout Jamaica, North America and Europe. Such of them include Rebel Salute, Montreal Reggae Festival and the world famous Rototom Festival in Spain. He is a four time Juno Winner and also won the Juno for best reggae performer this year in 2015.

Joining EXCO LEVI on PEPPERPOT'S 14TH ANNIVERSARY BASH will be the power trio hailing from LA and Vancouver THE RED, GOLD AND GREEN MACHINE!

All three performers have an extensive performance history that includes collaborations with the whose who of the hip hop and reggae worlds. Dr. Oops has another group in his home town of Los Angeles called The BlackLoveR88rs have been touring and performing together steadily for the last 10 years.
In 2004 The Dr. Oops joined up with 70-piece hip-hop orchestra Dakah and the combination proved highly successful for both parties. Dakah was subsequently sponsored by car company Scion and sent on its first ever tour which included performances in the New Orleans Jazz Festival, Playboy Jazz Festival (the first hip-hop act ever) and South by Southwest music conference.

Tonye Aganaba aka "Magic T" considers herself a citizen of the universe, undefined by geographical, cultural or stylistic boundaries. It’s a distinction that suits her well, for a woman who has lived and performed all around the globe. Her infectious spirit and lush voice ooze with the undeniable essence of love, tenderness and togetherness, the very spirit which infects her favourite albums from childhood. As her family moved from one small town to the next, it was artists like Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston who were her steadfast friends. They not only taught her how to sing and to move, but how to live creatively, and how to express herself honestly through the universal language of music.

Overall she is talented performer and also works as a producer/manager in Vancouver at Guilt and Company booking various venues for other talented performers both nationally and internationally. She has performed at Vancouver Jazz Festival, Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival and other major one-off performances at the Commodore Ballroom and The Vogue Theatre.

The summer of 2015 brought us one of the best Victoria Ska & Reggae Festivals we've had in our history. Now after a couple of months of it sinking in we are excited to get back at making more good times for the Island and beyond for our fall season.

RUDEFEST 2015 will be the first event of our fall season. It follows up where the VBCSS and UVIC Ska/Reggae Club left off... That is providing a high quality ALL AGES event with wicked ska and reggae bands that will make you dance and be happy for hours and hours.

The program is STACKED with some of your favourite local bands (The Leg Up Program, Sweetleaf and Morning Mayhem + Brass Action from Vancouver who will playing some material from their new album in progress.

In sum this show has it all... ska, reggae, soul, funk, hip hop and even a little punk so you can't go wrong.

And the show is ALL AGES with bar for those that are 19yrs+ (you will be required to wear a wristband).

Early bird tickets on sale Friday, September 4th on ticketweb.ca. Hard copies tickets available at Lyle's Place, Vinyl Envy and The Reef on or before Friday, September 11th, 2015.
$12 early bird/youth/VBCSS members/$14.50 regular advance

The Victoria BC Ska Society is proud to present hailing from NYC, The Casualties.

The Casualties members had the primary aim to revive the "golden era" of street punk, embodied by bands such as The Exploited, Charged, GBH, and Discharge, who's popularity was believed to have wained by 1985.
The Casualties have continued to produce high-energy recordings and they have played in and headlined many US and international tours (e.g., Europe, Japan, and Mexico).
The Casualties were founded 1990 in New York by vocalist Colin (until 1994) and Jorge Hank (guitar), Mark (bass) and Yureesh (drums). Jorge Herrera from Ecuador is the only constant member of the band.

The first demo tape is soon taken up and followed by the first single “40 Oz. Casualty”. It was released in it 1991. None of them thought about seriously making music, then: “At first, most of them drank a lot and made a lot of trouble, and they played music just for fun,” explained Rick. Accordingly, the lineup changes quite often.

The street punks regarded themselves as representatives of the Working-Class-Doctrine of the Punk Rock and due to their attitude to hard work it took them a while to produce their first LP. Guitarist Jake Kolatis – as he himself admitted – could not play the guitar then. He enters in 1993 and his first public appearance was on the EP “A Fuckin’ Way of Life” which was released the following year.
Drummer Meggers, whose real name is Marc Eggers, joined the band in 1995, and 1997 they finally started with the release of their first “serious” record “For The Punx”. Only one year later the Casualties presented her second disc “Underground Army” to an audience, which apparently could hardly wait for this Oi! Punk-influenced sound.
Success brought stability and seriousness

While at the beginning about ten people attended their performances (and this was regarded as success!) now more and more kids come to their shows. Shortly after Rick Lopez (Bass) from the “Underground Army” completed the band and from then on the line-up did not change since 1999. Continuity pays off, and so in the year 2000 the third album was released: “Stay Out Of Order”.

The following year they presented with “The Early Years: 1990-1995″ an official retrospective. “Die Hards” was another regular album and also the first album for the Side One Dummy label. By this disk in the luggage The Casualties conquered the hearts of the European Punk fans. At home in the U.S. they are guests on the prestigious Warped Tour.

Their fifth studio album shows the matured Casualties: “On The Front Line”, produced in 2004. One year later this album was released again in Spanish under the name “En La Lina De En Frente”.

On their DVD “Can’t Stop Us” you can see their gigs in Mexiko and Japan, where the fearless four from New York prove that they do not hesitate to take their music into the remotest corners of the world.

In this very year, 2006, the punks release another album, “Under Attack”. With this LP they started their Non-Stop Tour. A concert in New York in March 2007 was recorded and released in September of this year on CD and DVD. The album got the fitting name “Made In NYC”.

Now with nine studio albums and their latest one released in 2012 "Resistance", The Casualties are still going strong and are hitting Victoria Tuesday July 28th for another wicked performance!

Victoria Ska & Reggae Fest Day Five: Free Show!

Thanks to an overwhelmingly successful crowd-funding campaign last fall, the Victoria Ska & Reggae Fest is thrilled to present some of our best free programming ever.

Over the best two decades, New Zealand has proven itself to be one of the strongest reggae hotbeds in the world. Groups like Fat Freddy’s Drop, The Black Seeds, and Katchafire have proven themselves to be held in the echelon of reggae elites. Continuing this tradition of killer kiwi reggae is Aotearoa’s House of Shem. Comprised of Carl Perkins, a member of the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame with his former band The Herbs, and his two sons, House of Shem’s songs are marked by syrupy-sweet melodies and sun-drenched vocal harmonies. Their 2011 sophomore album, Island Vibration, even shot to number 1 on the charts on its first day of release. Already bona fide stars in their homeland, House of Shem are coming in hot for their Victoria Ska & Reggae Fest debut.

When LA’s Arise Roots formed, their goal was simple and direct: create a fresh reggae sound with a modern feel that appeals to all ages and races, but one that doesn’t compromise the true feel of roots reggae. Anybody who has had the opportunity to witness an Arise Roots show understands the powerful sound and positive vibration that they produce. Always paying homage to past reggae legends, Arise Roots’ sound is influenced by such artists as The Heptones, Black Uhuru, Barrington Levy, and The Skatalites.

Not many bands can get the good vibes rolling the same way that Vancouver’s Whitey does it. Their music is like a funkin’ rockin’ latin-jazz dance party from outer space. If it’ll make your body move, Whitey will play it. Sporting some of mainland BC’s most talented and sought-after musicians, Whitey’s members can also be found melting face with acts like The Funk Hunters, Whiskey Chief, and Ninjaspy.

Ali & the Budz are one of the newest bands to pop up in the Victoria scene, the group serving up their reggae with a side of sexy dancehall. The group is led by Steve “Ali” Austin, who has recently been throwing regular live reggae nights at Logan’s Pub.

Be sure to come down to The Mint for our festival showcase finale on Sunday July 5th, starting the night with the burlesque stylings of Amethyst Dance Troupe, and featuring musical performances from Dia-Nos and Def3. Just $10 at the door.

For this year’s festival, attendees will have their choice of two different flavours of show Saturday night. Option number one is on the mellow side, whereas option number two is a raucous affair.

Clinton Fearon is a Seattle-via-Jamaica-based singer-songwriter who has earned his place as one of the Pacific Northwest’s premier practitioners of soulful reggae. Fearon, 64, originally cut his teeth as a bass player, vocalist, and lyricist for legendary Jamaican roots-reggae group, The Gladiators. He was also a sought-after session player during this period of his career, cutting smooth basslines with top producers like Lee “Scratch” Perry & Coxsone Dodd. Fearon left the Gladiators and moved to the USA in 1987. He has performed and toured regularly since, both acoustically and with his “Boogie Brown Band.” “I write from my heart,” says the man himself. “My music is good for the soul - always with a message of hope and betterment for tomorrow. It's good for dancing, good for listening and I think it's good for all.”

Carmanah is a Victoria-bred band whose worldly and eclectic take on folk-rock has earned them not only a devout local following, but an increasingly large army of fans from across the country. Named after an ancient Vancouver Island rainforest, the band’s reggae-and-funk-tinged folk has allowed the group to share the stage with acts such as Said the Whale, Wake Owl, and Ziggy Marley. They have blown fans away at other events like Rifflandia, Tall Tree, and Canadian Music Week, and we’re thrilled to have them involved with the 16th Annual Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival.

Over the past few years, few vocalists have made as big an impression in the Vancouver reggae scene as Kristie McCracken. For many years McCracken worked as a backing singer with Natural Flavas, a project that not only played original tunes, but also acted as a backing band for various reggae vocalists such as Tanya Stephens, Ken Boothe, and Leeroy Sibbles during their tenure. She is also the co-frontwoman of The Ponderosas, whose soulful take on r&b and reggae has earned them praise across western Canada

You can’t talk about Canadian punk without bringing up The Real McKenzies. Formed over two decades ago by Vancouverite and the band’s namesake, Paul McKenzie, the band was one of the first bands to pioneer the modern celtic punk sound, pre-dating stars of the genre like Flogging Molly and the Dropkick Murphys. Building upon what British acts did many years previous, the Real McKenzies add an even harder punk edge while still maintaining an ear for catchy melody. They’ve called iconic punk label Fat Wreck Chords home since the early aughts, and are known for their sweaty and booze-soaked live shows that feature both original music and punked-up versions of traditional Scottish songs. Now, what’s a band with bagpipes doing in a ska and reggae festival? Punk historians will be quick to tell you that celtic punk and ska-punk have a longstanding relationship, whether it be Joe Strummer playing with The Pogues, or Flogging Molly taking the Aggrolites, Hepcat, and Morgan Heritage on their Salty Dog Cruise. Both styles take punk and mix it with a disparate genre, creating fusion music unlike anything else out there.

Born from the ashes of one of Victoria’s best punk bands ever, One Drop, The Hillside Hooligans have been blowing away BC audiences with their gritty brand of soulful reggae and punk since 2008. The energetic seven-piece eat, sleep, and breathe the Victoria ska and reggae scene, with their Hidden Gem rehearsal space and recording studio actually doubling as the Victoria BC Ska Society headquarters. The band embodies punk and DIY, self-producing two excellent studio releases and playing countless shows and parties in the garden city. Get ready to be told some tales from Rock Bay.

Mythical creatures need loving too. MC Unite! is a surf-punk-reggae party band from Victoria whose hilarious and unpredictable live shows have earned them fans up and down the island. Performances are usually accompanied by a “tickle trunk” of costumes for the band and audience members to don. Want to crowd-surf in a unicorn mask? Go for it. Crush beers in devil horns? Do it up!

New to this year’s festival, Saturday is an all-day affair, offering six acts in a long-form program.

Formed in L.A. at the tail end of the eighties, Hepcat are tried and true veterans of the North American ska scene. Guided by a reverence for the original reggae, rocksteady and dancehall of Jamaica, the group dominated the international ska circuit through the 90s, releasing numerous beloved albums, touring relentlessly through North America and Europe, and participating in festivals across the globe. It was through this dedication that Hepcat established an unwavering and expansive fanbase. While members have unfortunately passed away or left the group, the last few years have showcased a reinvigorated Hepcat. Led by dual vocalists Greg Lee and Alex Desert, Hepcat continues to prove that they’re one of the most consistently impressive ska bands today. While not known extremely well outside of diehard ska circles, Hepcat’s dedication to quality tunes and their cult fan base have proven them to be a worthy choice as one of this year’s Victoria Ska & Reggae Fest headliners.

Mustard Plug are your brain on ska. As one of the fiercest bands to explode out of the nineties ska-punk rush, the Plug have always set themselves apart from the rest with their DIY ethics and fun-fuelled intensity. Coming up in a Midwest scene that had little to no experience in ska music, the group applied their considerable work ethic to spark a 20-plus-year exodus that has seen them release seven acclaimed albums, tour the globe (including Japan and South America), and bring their aggressive yet positive blend of ska, punk, and hardcore to legions of fans. As trombonist Jim Hofer puts it: “We may have some messages in our music, but essentially we just do this because we love it and we want people to lighten up and have fun.”

Canadian hip-hop heavyweights Sweatshop Union, one of the hardest working ensembles to ever emerge from British Columbia, have been making righteous, politically charged music for over a decade but on their newest album Infinite (released May 28), they’re ready to really enjoy themselves.

The 6-member crew took their time with this album, spending a year to gather sounds and lyrics, whereas previous records have been completed in mere months. It bridges the gap between conscious music and fun party jams, exploring heavy themes but it’s also built for kicking back and vibing. The group believes that the record’s strength lies in this dichotomy.

The reggae and ska community knows no borders, and if any band is a testament to that, it’s Colombia’s De Bruces a Mi. The project began in 1999 as an earnest group of friends looking to involve themselves with and grow within the reggae music they loved. Taking equal inspiration from both Jamaican legends and the music of their homeland, De Bruces a Mi specializes in an eclectic mix of ska and reggae with salsa, calypso, and the champeta music ative to their region of Caribbean-coastal Colombia. With their unique sonic blend and devotion to the guiding ethos of reggae culture, De Bruces a Mi are certainly one of the brightest talents in the scene today. De Bruces a Mi are the fifth Colombian band to take the Victoria Ska & Reggae Fest stage, which is just another step in our mission of showcasing one of the best ska/reggae hotbeds in the world.

The Leg-Up Program is a Victoria BC super-group that borrows members from some of the city’s hottest bands of past and present. Members of Skafest staples like Rocky Mountain Rebel Music, Everybody Left, Dia-Nos, & SweetLeaf can be found toting instruments and mics at an LUP show. Born at beach jams and late-night parties, this musical collective can feature over 12 singers, rappers, and instrumentalists on stage at the same time. Their blend of soul, hip-hop, and reggae - all with an in-your-face punk energy - has quickly given this group a reputation as one of Victoria’s hippest acts.

DJ Su Comandante has evolved to be one of the most diverse DJs spinning reggae, dancehall, Latin and reggaeton on the west coast of Canada. Now residing in Vancouver, his musical choices also mirror his beliefs in revolution and social justice.

Titled “the Royal Family of Reggae”, Morgan Heritage have been at it for over two decades. Sibling rivalry hasn’t seemed to affect the Morgans in any way, with the roots-reggae all-stars consisting of four brothers and a sister. The group continues to be a force on the festival circuit worldwide, giving fans a taste of their soulful brand of roots reggae that brings in touches of dub, r&b and dancehall. The group certainly won’t have a shortage of material to choose from at Ship Point, but fans should expect to hear some hot new tracks from the Jamaican outfit who just recently released their 10th studio album.

Reigning from Brooklyn NY, The Slackers have been playing their trademark brand of ska and rocksteady music since the early ’90s. With a vast collection of albums, the group has played over 2000 concerts in 32 different countries. Bandleader Vic Ruggiero calls The Slackers’ sound “jamaican rock n’ roll” with influences ranging from Bob Dylan to The Skatalites. These guys keep it real by combining punk attitude, soulful vocals, and traditional ska instrumentation, creating a unique contribution to the ska genre that combines both old and new. This will mark The Slackers’ third festival appearance, the first of which happened 12 years ago.

For 24 years “Keith and Tex” was just a name on a record in the reggae section at the local record store, but in 1994, the duo reunited and have been intermittently performing and recording since. They released the aptly titled comeback album Together Again in 1997, and followed it up recently with 2013’s Redux and 2015’s Just Passing Through. They will be gracing us with a gorgeous sunlit performance on July 3rd where they will be backed by legendary Brooklyn ska/reggae group The Slackers for a one-of-a-kind show.

Acclaimed Vancouver selecter DJ Dubconscious will be spinning between acts. Dubconscious has proven himself to be one of the top dub and reggae DJs in Canada, earning residency at the prestigious Shambhala festival in Salmo, BC. He also hosts a weekly dub night at the Keefer Bar in Vancouver, and a poster for a previous weekly night of his was recently featured in a Major Lazer’s video for their hit “Bumaye”.

With 10 grammy nominations, performances on six continents, and four decades of hits, Third World have earned the title of “Reggae Ambassadors”. Born as a roots reggae group in the early 70s, Third World have made a name for themselves by constantly defying conventions and expectations. Despite many of their contemporaries sticking to their guns, Third World always evolved, bringing in elements of funk, disco, R&B, soul, hip-hop, and dancehall as the years progressed. The band has proven itself to be open to experimentation as well, incorporating instrumentation such as classical strings not normally associated with the reggae genre. Bass player Richard Daley describes the band’s philosophy succinctly: “We [take] roots reggae music and put branches on top of it.” While original lead singer Bunny Rugs passed away last year, the sextet is still going strong with original members Daley and guitarist/cellist Stephen “Cat” Coore leading the way. Their performance Friday night is sure to be one that reggae fans both young and old will never forget.

To label The Red, Gold and Green Machine as simply “soul”, “reggae”, or “hip-hop” would be a disservice to their vision. Formed in 2010 after a fateful meeting at British Columbia’s Shambhala Festival, the group is anchored by the union of L.A. emcee Dr. Oop (of the bLAckloveR88rs) and Vancouver-based soul vocalist Tonye “Magic T” Aganaba. The group also features unofficial third member, MC Nucleus. The Machine does not focus on fitting a particular genre, but on crafting smooth, lively tunes laden with crisp harmonies and emotive lyricism. That said, it’s clear that reggae has influenced every inch of the group’s music. From the Rasta-nodding band name to the grooves and beats that seem straight out of Kingston, it’s clear that the Machine’s music comes from a place of understanding of love for the scenes it gleefully blends together.

Now three years into their evolution, Blackwood Kings has proven to be one of the more unique bands to pop up in the Victoria scene. The band’s oddball approach to reggae and dub brings in unorthodox musical ideas not normally found in the genre such as interlocked guitar leads and irregular time signatures. Blackwood Kings' diverse and malleable sound has allowed the group to share the stage with notable acts such as Sierra Leone's Refugee All-Stars, iconic ska-punks Authority Zero, and Polynesian reggae superstar J-Boog. Things are just getting started for this young, progressive dub quintet.

BROOKLYN SKA/ROCKSTEADY (VIC RUGGIERO OF THE SLACKERS) Friday July 3rd at 2pm
In the 1990s New York City became a musical mecca for popularizing ska and rocksteady music within North American audiences. Of all the bands to emerge from this culture, The Slackers have resonated with audiences for decades while impressing ska and reggae purists with their interpretations of ska and rocksteady in and outside of Jamaica. New York has always benefited from having almost every kind of music and a cornucopia of culture from which to draw. Through this diversity a vibrant ska and reggae community emerged and became a vital part of New York’s music culture. Agent Jay of The Slackers has been exposed to every part of the process. He will elaborate on his experiences within these genre and analyze its nuances.

What made The Slackers choose ska and rocksteady and what other kinds of music influenced them along the way? Is there a universal sound or style of playing ska and rocksteady that is shared among ska and rocksteady groups in New York? How has that musical community evolved since the Slackers were created?

We start with the birthplace of the music that we intend to educate people about. Ska has always been a music of creative interpretations. It started when African workers in the Caribbean re-interpreted their traditional African hymns as calypso, mento and finally melded with rhythm and blues in America to create ska. In some cases the weak transistor radios they used picked up two frequencies at once which further fueled their musical imaginations. It makes sense that a style of music that went on to form countless sub-genres and influence so many was an amalgamation of numerous styles itself. Keith and Tex were part of the culture that brought Jamaican Rocksteady to the world stage. They have seen the evolution of the music first-hand and will provide valuable insight into its humble beginnings.

How did they come across their sound? Did they actively seek a fusion of different genres or did it happen naturally? How do they feel about the many permutations of the sound that they helped to create?

Victoria Ska & Reggae Fest Day Two: Thursday Free Show!

Thanks to an overwhelmingly successful crowd-funding campaign last fall, the Victoria Ska & Reggae Fest is thrilled to present some of our best free programming ever.

Kobo Town, founded in 2004, blends Canadian and Caribbean cultures through the contemporary reimagining of calypso music. Founder, Drew Gonsalves, grew up in Trinidad and moved to Ottawa when he was 13 with his Québécois mother. Caught between two worlds, Gonsalves turned to music and poetry, eventually creating Kobo Town as his artistic outlet. Their performance at last year's fest proved to be a highlight, it ending with the sold-out crowd chanting and embracing in a group hug after the final notes were played.

Dope Soda is one of the dopest acts on Vancouver Island and not afraid to admit it. Combining snappy horns with cunning lyrics, these guys are sure to impress. Co-lead singers Dave St. Jean (also known as Dave DiRT) and Matt Carter swap vocal duties with horns and keys, never missing a beat in the process. They pull in influences from jazz, punk, and Jamaican music, all the while bringing as much energy to the stage as they do musicianship.

Who says the prairies can’t breed great reggae bands? Certainly not Tasman Jude, who hail from Grande Prairie, Alberta, and are one of the most exciting young talents in the Canadian reggae scene today. Their downhome, roots approach to reggae has taken the group across Canada, Australia, and the Caribbean.

Boomshack has quickly proven itself to be one of the hottest groups in Vancouver Island's groove-music scene. Blurring the lines between soul, jazz, Latin, and reggae, Boomshack come with a bag of soulful tunes backed by air-tight rhythms and a blasting horn-section.

Some of the most intriguing branches of the ska family tree are the electronic ones such as dub and jungle. The Victoria BC Ska Society has always been committed to showcasing this side of the music we love, best exemplified by recent presentations featuring acts such as Gaudi, The Bug, & Walshy Fire of Major Lazer. This year's electronic offering builds upon what we have done in the past while also moving us forward.

Over the past 10 years, few Canadian west-coast DJs have accomplished as much as Stickybuds. A break technician, funky party-starter, dub-reggae selecta, and eclectic mash-up artist all rolled into one, Stickybuds has earned a residency at the prestigious Shambhala festival, while also making appearances at events such as Glastonbury (UK) and Burning Man. Fresh off two sold-out Victoria performances, we're thrilled to bring him back once more to share one of his signature sets with the Victoria Ska & Reggae Fest crowd.

Dubmatix has built himself up to be one of the marquee acts in the Ontario reggae scene, joining acts such as Bedouin Soundclash, Exco Levi, Kardinal Offishal, and illScarlett in taking their sounds to audiences abroad. However, few of them have been as celebrated as Dubmatix, a five-time Juno nominee and one-time winner. Dubmatix possesses a signature sound and style that is immediately recognizable. Just as much Phil Spector as Lee Perry, Dubmatix’s sound utilizes earth-shaking bass, majestic horn lines, and thick-set percussive grooves.

Ydna Murd is a Victoria-based drummer who performs live jungle & drum n' bass music. His online drum tutorials and performance vids have amassed hundreds of thousands of views and earned the percussionist a sponsorship from the prestigious Sonor drum company.

Language of Music Workshop Series: MODERN DUB AND ELECTRONIC MUSIC (Dubmatix) Thursday July 2nd at 3pm

Dub is a subgenre of electronic music that grew out of reggae. The rhythm section is generally created by one person on a set of turntables, synthesizers, drum machines or other equipment. Where a guitarist or a saxophone player may learn a piece and reinterpret it subconsciously, a selector (A Disk Jockey or DJ) will knowingly take a direct recording and alter it to fit their vision. Part of the job of a selector is to bring together musical interpretations that may otherwise never meet. For example: There is not a great chance we'd ever hear Toots singing on a Michael Jackson bassline but a selector is able to take the tracks and mix them together. Canadian composer, producer, multi-instrumentalist & Five-time Juno Award winner/nominee Dubmatix is among the leading dub selectors in the world. He has seen the musical movement from its inception and will provide his perspective.

In the creative process of a selector, how do they work with these different musical cultures and interpretations to decide which ones will fit together? Are there any recordings or riddims (backlines) that are considered sacred in the community that knowledgeable selectors use? How have looping pedals changed the face of the genre? This workshop will address some of these questions.

While there will be colourful explosions across the skies of downtown Victoria this Canada Day, the Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival is thrilled to showcase some fireworks of our own.

Four BC bands with four different styles; Mindil Beach, Kutapira, Downtown Mischief, & SweetLeaf; are joining together for Victoria's hottest Canada Day party.

Mindil Beach is an alternative rock band whose flexible style also borrows from reggae, hip-hop, funk, and folk. Their ability to bend and twist the rock genre into other forms has allowed these cats to share the stage with acts as diverse as Bedouin Soundclash, The Original Wailers, USS, and Sam Roberts. Their past performances at Sugar have been nothing short of exemplary, and this Canada Day party should prove no different.

Kutapira is a Vancouver-based five-piece all-percussive ensemble that blends traditional Afro-Cuban rhythms with the melodies of Zimbabwean and West African folk and popular music. Kutapira can often be heard busking on the streets of downtown Vancouver, attracting a crowd with their frenzied high-energy brand of Afro groove.

Downtown Mischief is a Victoria-based hip-hop group whose live instrumentation incorporates funk, soul, and jazz fusion influences. Born in the jam parties of Victoria’s jazz and hip-hop scenes, these guys can rip it. Think Tower of Power meets Beastie Boys. Yup, it's a riot.

This packed evening is rounded out by SweetLeaf, Victoria's hardest-working (and hardest-partying) ska band. These guys have shared the stage with favourites of the genre such as The Slackers, The Aggrolites, and The Mad Caddies, and will be making their third consecutive festival appearance. Make sure you come out early to see why we keep bringing 'em back.

Local selecta DJ Anger will be spinning between acts.

STREETLIGHT MANIFESTO CONFIRMED IN VANCOUVER! - On the Road to Ska Fest 2015

Victoria BC Ska Society is proud to announce that Streetlight Manifesto is confirmed for our On the Road to Ska Fest 2015 concert series in Vancouver on Saturday, May 30 at at the Rickshaw Theatre. Dan Potthast and Sycamore Smith will open.

Tickets go on sale Friday, February 27 at 10am on ticketweb.ca

This is a band that our fans have been requesting for a very long time. They're probably the biggest and most important ska/punk fusion band of the last decade, so we're thrilled to be presenting their shows.

STREETLIGHT MANIFESTO CONFIRMED IN VICTORIA! - On the Road to Ska Fest 2015

Victoria BC Ska Society is proud to announce that Streetlight Manifesto is confirmed for our On the Road to Ska Fest 2015 concert series in Victoria on Friday, May 29 at Distrikt (early show 6pm door). Dan Potthast and Sycamore Smith will open.

Tickets go on sale Friday, February 27 at 10am on ticketweb.ca and at Lyle's Place in Victoria.

This is a band that our fans have been requesting for a very long time. They're probably the biggest and most important ska/punk fusion band of the last decade, so we're thrilled to be presenting their shows.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA'S RESIGNATORS RETURN TO THE ISLAND!

Get ready for more good times with Melbourne, Australia's The Resignators with our Island's own Hillside Hooligans and Fableway. This show is a family reunion of our ska family down under meeting our reggae, punk and ska family from west coast Canada. You may have remembered that The Resignators played at the Victoria Ska Festival in 2011 and 2013 opening for The Planet Smashers at Market Square and with Rude City Riot at Lucky Bar. If you didn't see them you're in for a treat with this edition of our On the Road to Ska & Reggae Festival.

DOPE SODA BACK IN VICTORIA! ...Cravers be warned

Dope Soda hail from mid Island (Nanaimo BC) and are one of the most active hard working ska/reggae bands in the province. Formed in late 2011, Dope Soda present a fresh concoction of six of the top jazz, rock, and Jamaican-music-inspired musicians from Vancouver Island, with membership in acts such as Current Swell, The Bananafish Dance Orchestra and The Kiltlifters.

The band is led by a three-piece horn section with roots in the highly-regarded Vancouver Island University Jazz Department, buoyed by a funky rhythm section that serves up sips of bubbling Hammonds and Wurlitzers, shots of distorted guitar, and heavy bass--in your face.

Dope Soda jumps back and forth between reggae jams, punk rock assaults, happy ska romps, and hiphop throwdowns--a thirst quencher for audiences who need good rhymes and good times.

Guests of honour for this joyous occassion include the 17 piece Victoria party ensemble The Leg Up Program and Nanaimo's latest reggae, jazz, funk party band Boomshack - comprised mostly of graduates from Vancouver Island University’s jazz program.

When you put all three bands together one after the other the sum of its parts equal a ton of fun.

Early bird tickets on sale now on ticketweb.ca $12 adv.

Israel's leading world-reggae band returns to the Island in Cumberland!

Victoria BC Ska Society & Cumberland Village Works are collaborating to present the return of Zvuloon Dub System from Tel Aviv, Israel. Zvuloon Dub System are returning to Canada after playing on the Victoria Ska Festival this past summer. Their tour then also landed them a spot on the world famous Sierra Nevada World Music Festival.

Our Island's own Grossbuster will also be performing alongside ZVULOON DUB SYSTEM. Grossbuster mixes reggae, dub, hip hop and other bass sounds using both live instruments and electronics. He often appears with "Orilla" who accompanies him as an MC and singer on various tracks.

Tickets: $14.50 - $16.50 adv. Early bird tickets available now ($14.50) on ticketweb.ca. In store advance tickets available at The Waverley Hotel, Bop City (Courtenay), Lyle's Place (Victoria) & ticketweb.ca

Zvuloon Dub System emerges from a multicultural middle-eastern music scene, singing in English and Amharic. The band's album "Anbessa Dub" has been given rave reviews all over the world since it was released earlier this year. BBC's David 'Ram Jam' Rodigan has nothing but praise for the band and gives them regular play on his world famous radio show. Roger Steffens - Founding Chairman of Reggae Grammy Committee says, "Zvuloon Dub System demonstrates conclusively why they are Israel's top reggae band, proving great roots music today finds some of its finest expressions outside its Jamaican homeland. Touching on many of the major themes of conscious reggae with authentic rhythms and tasty lead vocals, Zvuloon deserves a wide international audience."

For the first time the Mad Caddies and The Aggrolites will join forces to bring an unbelievable experience for ska/reggae fans all over British Columbia and beyond. Both bands have been supporters of the Victoria BC Ska Society since the early stages of their careers. This show is like one big family reunion! It's two family clans meeting each other in a match so many fans only imagined they might get to witness one day. Now it's happening.

And to make matters even better, we've added The Bunny Gang. This is Nathan Maxwell of Flogging Molly's new band! With a triple bill like this you can't resist!

For the first time the Mad Caddies and The Aggrolites will join forces to bring an unbelieveable experience for ska/reggae fans all over British Columbia and beyond. Both bands have been supporters of the Victoria BC Ska Society since the early stages of their careers. This show is like one big family reunion! It's two family clans meeting each other in a match so many fans only imagined they might get to witness one day. Now it's happening.

And to make matters even better, we've added The Bunny Gang. This is Nathan Maxwell of Flogging Molly's new band! With a triple bill like this you can't resist!

Grab tickets quickly before they're gone!

Tickets available now at Highlife, Redcat, Beat Street & ticketweb.ca

VICTORIA SKA FESTIVAL CROWD FUNDS TO RETAIN FREE FESTIVAL PROGRAMMING

For the past fifteen years Ska Fest has been committed to providing free presentations and workshops throughout the festival in an effort to entertain, educate and unite artists and audiences. Over the past eight years international artists from Africa, Colombia, Mexico, Israel, Jamaica and various other countries now perform with regional and national touring bands at outdoor and indoor venues. The free festival workshops have provided memorable experiences for artists and fans and has
become an important educational tool for audiences to discover the musical and cultural origins and of ska and its related genres.

Victoria Ska Festival has funded the free presentations and workshops through government grants, community sponsorships and other earned revenues made at the festival and through year-round events. The festival is committed to keep funding the free programming in this manner however, this campaign will bring further financial stability towards ensuring the free programming will be both retained and improved into 2015 and beyond.

We encourage everyone to give your ideas about who and what you would like to see at Ska Fest before choosing the exciting list of prize packages.

At this point, it’s safe to call British electronic musician Kevin Martin an icon. With a career spanning decades in every genre from grindcore to ambient, it’s perhaps his work as “The Bug” that’s the most important. Drawing from Jamaican styles such as dancehall and dub, The Bug also brings in an edge found in industrial music, bass-heavy beats, and hip-hop grooves.

Known for 2008’s exemplary London Zoo, considered a quintessential release in the UK dubstep sound, Martin’s 2014 offering Angels & Devils takes what The Bug can be to new heights.
Both a year zero of sorts for The Bug, yet drawing on what has been before. Indeed The Bug is the only producer who can bring in the likes of Grouper, Copeland, Miss Red, Gonjasufi, Flowdan, Justin Broadrick (Godflesh/Jesu), Mala, Death Grips, and Warrior Queen and make it seamless. End times need a soundtrack to prep for what's above and below, and this is it.

The Bug will be joined by UK grime MC Manga for this performance. Manga appears on Angels & Devils.

Victoria BC Ska Society and UVIC Ska/Reggae Club is proud to present Soul Shakedown 2014 featuring The Ponderosas, Buckman Coe and The New Souls. The Ponderosas will be giving us some sneak peaks from their upcoming album that will be released just before Christmas of this year. Buckman Coe also has a brand new album that is set for release in October 2014 called "Precession" The band will be playing songs off it at the show. Precession was produced by Adham Shaikh and features some heavy hitters in the Vancouver music scene including Michael Fraser, Tom Van Deursen (Boom Booms), Kristie McCracken, and Martin Reisle.

Finally the bill will be rounded out with The New Souls who have played at both Victoria Jazz Festival and Garden City Grooves two years running.

The Slackers long time friends of Victoria BC Ska Society and the Victoria Ska Fest are returning to Vancouver as part of their west coast Canadian tour on Sat. October 25th at Imperial Vancouver! They will be joined by Sammy Kay and Los Furios.

CANCELLED: LARRY AND HIS FLASK, GOOD FOR GRAPES & FOX GLOVE AT V-LOUNGE IN VICTORIA

It is with great disappointment that we have to announce the cancellation of LARRY AND HIS FLASK, Good For Grapes & Fox Glove at V-Lounge next Sat. Oct 25, 2014 in Victoria BC. Refunds will be available at point of purchase. Ticketweb.ca customers will be refunded starting on Monday when staff are there to reverse payments.

Larry and His Flask management and its members have cited personal reasons for the cancellation.

Hello everyone. Due to exhaustion and internal band issues, we're going to have to call off the Victoria, BC (this Saturday 10/25) and Walla Walla, WA (this Sunday 10/26) shows at the end of this current tour. We are so very very sorry for the inconvenience and disappointment that these cancellations may cause but there are critical things that we need to address as a band immediately after our Vancouver show. We will be playing all our announced shows through Vancouver (this Friday).

We deeply love all our incredible friends, fans, supporters and family who we've been so fortunate to spend time playing music for and with over the years, far more than words can possibly express. We are in a place right now where we urgently need to take care of ourselves individually and as a group. We have always been lucky to have gotten so much love and support from everyone around us. Thank you so very much for your understanding as we take time to try to figure things out."
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THE SLACKERS RETURN TO NANAIMO!

Last year The Slackers played their first ever concert at The Queen's - Nanaimo and there was a line-up all the way down the street past the A&W near the venue. If you want tickets to this show get on top of it early and book your time off.

The Slackers will be joined by New Jersey's Sammy K & the Fast Four & Nanaimo's favourite ska party band Dope Soda.

Advance tickets $19.50 advance available now at The Queen's, Fascinating Rhythm and ticketweb.ca

Thanks to Thirsty Camel Cafe near to the venue for sponsoring the show!

THE SLACKERS RETURN TO VICTORIA!

The Slackers long time friends of Victoria BC Ska Society are returning to Victoria as part of their west coast Canadian tour on Thur. October 23rd at Upstairs Cabaret. They'll be joined by Sammy K and the Fast Four from New Jersey!

Advance tickets $22+ on sale now at Lyle's Place, Ditch Records & ticketweb.ca on sale now on ticketweb.ca

Victoria BC Ska Society is proud to present long time family Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra with guests Wed. October 15th at Upstairs Cabaret.

It's been hard to believe how far that Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra has come since they began almost 10 years ago in the underground of bohemian Victoria, on Canada’s lush west coast. The band's sound has taken various transformations and has now developed into a new, refined sound crafted by years of constant performing and touring together. Though drawing on flamenco flourishes learned in Spain, on African percussion, on bluegrass and other roots music from across the Americas, TMO has cycled through far-flung influences and youthful forays into sounds from all over, finding new vistas of creativity that bring them closer to their own beginnings, to the people and places that have shaped them.

Early bird tickets start at $15 - $20 on sale now on ticketweb.ca. Click to purchase here: http://tktwb.tw/V7YpcX

Dub FX's last appearance in Whistler was at the GLC in July of 2013 surrounding his Victoria Ska Festival co-headlining appearance with Mos Def aka Yasiin Bey. Since then Dub FX has toured the world over once again hitting major festivals large and small this summer. We are ecstatic to be part of their upcoming tour Theory of Harmony tour after having such a positive experience with them last time. Think of this show as a Thanksgiving Get Away and if you want to see Dub FX in a smaller intimate beautiful venue with your close friends and/or family, this is the show for you.

Dub FX's most recent album Theory of Harmony is chalk full of smooth bass lines ranging from electronic dub, drum n' bass, reggae, hip hop and more using his signature skill of looping and layering all of the sounds into one that has you wanting more. The album was financed through crowd funding and exceeded 48% of its goal.

Dub FX explains, “Theory Of Harmony is the sum of many years work. I’ve been travelling so much over the last seven years, meeting people from all continents and all walks of life. I’ve developed a conscious philosophy of peace, positivity, joy and healthful pursuits that has been embraced by my fans all over the world. This album is a conscious and positive message to them and my way of thanking them for all their love and support they have given to me, the Flower Fairy and Cade through this amazing journey. – Dub Fx

Theory of Harmony is like nothing you've ever experienced.
Full album Experience here: http://youtu.be/tuNMBsrbv10

On this upcoming show Dub FX will be appearing on this upcoming concert with Andy V who will add a live element to this show playing saxophone. Here is an example of one of the new tracks done by Dub FX and Andy V. It's a cover of Barrington Levy's “Here I Come” (Broader than Broadway) http://youtu.be/w_wrGCsQ-oA

Victoria BC Ska Society is excited to announce that Bananafish Dance Orchestra, Kutapira and Blackwood Kings will be playing on a triple bill on Saturday, September 20th at Felicita's Pub. This to be epic event is being presented by Victoria BC Ska Society in conjunction with the UVIC Ska/Reggae Club and sponsored by Lighthouse Brewery. We also would like to thank Felicita's Pub for their support on this event.

This show is a bitter sweet one because it will be the last show Bananafish Dance Orchestra will be playing in Victoria for a long time. Lead singer Niall Harvery will be leaving BC for awhile so this show is more like a send off for the band.

For those of you that have never seen Bananafish Dance Orchestra they would be best described as an 8 piece power house that will bring everything from-jazz to hip-hop, reggae to soul, Latin rock to ska--and anything else that will make you want to dance into the mix. Bananafish Dance Orchestra that have played on numerous festivals including Kaslo Jazz Fest, Ska Fest and Islands Folk Fest are well armed with talented soloists, percussion jams, freestyle specialists, and even trumpet on trumpet battles! If you haven't heard or seen this band you are in for a sweaty affair.

Vancouver's Kutapira brings Afro-Cuban vibes together with the melodies of Zimbabwe. They are one of the most entertaining, high-energy bands Vancouver has to offer.

Born out of a forward-thinking educational initiative introducing youth to global rhythms, formed in 2005 through a Canada Council program matching professional artists and students, Kutapira have hardly had a chance to reflect on their achievements. Through the motivation and mentoring of Artistic Director, Jack Duncan and percussion maestro, Myles Bigelow, the group is forging new links between the traditions of Zimbabwe’s marimba music and the rhythmic soul of Afro Cuban drumming. Kai Buchan, Jeremy Bryant, Sangito Bigelow, Chris Couto and Theo Vincent are all fluent in both disciplines; rotating through their battery of soprano, tenor and baritone marimbas and trading licks on the drum kit, timbales and hand drums.
"Kutapira is a vibrant and talented group of young people. Their music is powerful, energetic and exciting. I challenge anyone to try and remain still during their performance!"Bill Siksay, MP (Burnaby-Douglas)
The marimbas’ funky, wooden resonance isn’t the only buzz Kutapira is generating. The accolades from all corners have been swift in coming and the praise has been fanatical In the sometimes serious and stodgy world of world music, the quintet has been bringing a welcome injection of exuberance and velocity to festival stages, community events and concert halls in Canada and abroad, lifting people to their feet and rattling the cages of the uninitiated.

BLACKWOOD KINGS

Named after the Victoria BC street corner where the band rehearses, this is a group ready to make some waves. Laid-back reggae rhythms, odd time signatures, dueling guitar solos, slap bass lines, frantic jungle beats-- no musical idea is off limits, making live performances varied and energetic.

Los Rastrillos (Mexico City) make their long awaited return to Vancouver after a five year absence. Los Rastrillos are no strangers to British Columbia's musical community playing at Victoria Ska Festival twice and other major festivals such as Vancouver Folk Fest, Vancouver Jazz Fest, Starbelly and more! In case you have never seen Los Rastrillos they play a mixture of reggae, ska, jazz, funk and other Latin American musical styles mixed in.

Let's get ready, Victoria. This show is going to be THE BEST show to hit Victoria this summer. With so many talented acts coming together on one stage, those won't be a show to miss! Shaggy and Rayvon will be playing all the classic tunes, as well as his latest reggae and dancehall hits. Mexico's Los Rastrillos will bring their own take on soulful reggae, and our own local talent with Vancouver's Ponderosas and Victoria's DJ Anger will get the entire harbour-front dancing.

Shaggy
Mr. Lover lover, Mr. Boombastic, Shaggy is a man of many names. Starting his music career in 1990, his lift of achievements are impressive. Hits like “Oh Carolina,” “Boombastic,” and “Angel” established Shaggy as a worldwide pop artist, but he is indeed much more. His latest album, Out of Many, One Music, reconfirms his place as one of today’s premier reggae musicians. Produced by Sly and Robbie, and featuring artists like Beres Hammond, Damian Marley, and Tessanne Chin. From reggae to pop, from funk to rock, Shaggy is an artist not to pass up!

Los Rastrillos
Los Rastrillos have become a Ska Fest favourite, and we are excited to bring them back for Victoria’s 15 Annual Ska Festival. Mexico City’s Los Rastrillos have been playing for over 20 years and continue to win over new fans everyday with their blend of roots reggae and latin music. They’ve performed alongside the likes of Jimmy Cliff, Michael Franti, and Los Lobos. With 10 members and 6 albums, this is one party you don’t want to miss.

The Ponderosas
The Ponderosas take soul, r&b,reggae, and blend together in a musical blender until they’ve got everyone in the crowd moving and grooving to their festive and lively rhythms. this Vancouver eight-piece have worked with groups such as Natural Flavas, The Boom Booms, and Rude City Riot. Their infectious music is sure to start a dance party throughout the festival grounds and all who check this group out are sure to become instant fans.

All Ages/Beverage Garden w/ID. Food Concessions and Merchandise Tents! Single, Double, Harbour and Full Fest Passes on sale now on ticketweb.ca!

Saturday free family show!

There's no better way to spend your Saturday than to bring down the family to our free and friendly afternoon show. Featuring The Skinny from Montreal and Seattle's Georgetown Orbits, this is a perfect show for those who love ska to those who are just finding out about it.

The Skinny
- The Skinny are one of the many new bands to emerge from Montreal’s booming ska and reggae scene. They carry a sound that pleases both new and old fans of reggae alike. Their sound blends with classic soul and pop. If you’re a fan of other Montreal ska groups like The Fundamentals or Stepper, The Skinny are ready to deliver a musical prescription that will get you feeling fine and dancing all night long.

Georgetown Orbits
- The Georgetown Orbits have been a festival favourite for a number of years, and we’re excited to bring them back! They’ve been representing the Pacific Northwest for 10 years, playing and paying tribute to the original upbeat sounds of Jamaican ska. They’ve had the pleasure to perform with such legendary ska names such as The Skatalites, Bad Manners, The English Beat, Lynval Golding, and many more. Dress to impress, because these guys will have everyone hitting the dance floor.

The Victoria Ska Festival tries hard to cater to families and teens by offering free outdoor events throughout our festival.

Welcome to the final presentation of Victoria's 15th Anniversary Ska Festival at Victoria Event Centre following Shaggy, Los Rastrillos at Ship Point.

Kobo Town has grown to become favourites of lovers of calypso, reggae, ska and other worldbeat forms. They will be teaming up with Bananafish Dance Orchestra to present a program full of calypso, reggae, ska, funk, hip hop and more.

All Ages w/Beverage Garden. Tickets only available through purchase of Full Festival Passes or "Shaggy Double tickets" on ticketweb.ca.

***If you are not 19yrs of age and you want to attend this show you must purchase a "Double Shaggy ticket"

Full Fest passes (19yrs+) are available at Lyle's Place, Tourist Info Centre, paypal and ticketweb.ca

Kobo Town is one of Canada's premiere Calypso bands. Front man Drew Gonsalvez will be presenting this workshop that promises to be both educational and funny. The workshop will explore the history of Calypso with a focus on the development and use of humour, innuendo, double­-entendre and satire to slip messages past censors. Gonsalvez has a unique cultural background as he lived in Trinidad until he was a teen and then moved to Canada. Shortly after he moved to Canada he was inspired to become more in touch with his roots. His desire led him to complete a degree in the history of calypso and ultimately create the band known as Kobo Town. His combination of life experiences, education and eccentricity will make this a workshop not to be missed.

Music fans, rejoice! This night will bring Victoria the best in reggae, ska, punk, funk, and more. From the sweet reggae tunes of Barrington Levy to the manic and soulful sounds of Fishbone, this show offers something for everyone. Local boys, The Hillside Hooligans, will knock it out of the park with their own mix of reggae and rock and Dubconscious will get the party started with an eclectic mix of jungle, drum 'n' bass, and reggae.

Barrington Levy & Detour Posse
From his work with more mainstream artists like Rascalz, Snoop Dogg, and Shaggy to his own catalogue of chart-topping hits, no one artist can represent a genre like Jamaica’s Barrington Levy. Starting his music career before the age of 15, Barrington Levy’s early work with the Roots Radics established him early on as a musical powerhouse to watch. Hits like “Under mi Sensi,” “Black Roses,” and “Broader than Broadway” have made Levy a worldwide name and is known for being one of the finest performers of dancehall and reggae music. Levy has over two-dozen albums to his name, and shows no sign of slowing down. For those who want to see one of the masters, look no further than Barrington Levy.

Fishbone
Fishbone first hit the Victoria Ska Fest in 2005 with an unforgettable performance at the Victoria Curling Club. Partying until the lights came on and speakers turned off, they were certainly an act to see. The group has been around for over 25 years and have been one of the largest influences of ska, punk, and funk bands today. The band formed in 1979 in LA, California. They’ve always been a band with an amazingly eclectic sound, biting social commentary, and hyperactive stage presence. They made their return to Victoria in 2010 to play alongside The Black Seeds and Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, and they once again gave us an unbelievable performance. Now that they’re back, we can’t wait to see what they bring us!

Hillside Hooligans
The Hillside Hooligans were born from the ashes of Victoria’s favourite reggae punks, One Drop. Not only does the group have years of performance experience between them, but are avid promoters of ska here on the island and abroad. They’ve been jamming, performing, and causing general mayhem for a few years and have recently finished work on their brand new album. Expect their set to be full of raw punk energy, massive reggae rhythms, and beer-fuelled chaos.

DJ Dubconscious
DJ Dubconscious has come to represent both the east and the western coast of Canada. Born in Toronto & raised on the jungle & drum’n’bass sounds permeating the city in the late 90s & early 2000s, he developed a taste for hard beats drenched in reggae vibes. has appeared at numerous music festivals including BC's Shambhala, Bass Coast, Diversity, He curates a Sunday night weekly at The Keefer Bar in Vancouver, and was also running an all-vinyl reggae & dancehall weekly, Wax Wednesdays, up until the Waldorf Hotel's unfortunate closure.

All Ages/Beverage Garden w/ID. Food Concessions and Merchandise Tents! Single, Double, Harbour and Full Fest Passes on sale now on ticketweb.ca!

After you are mesmorized from seeing Barrington Levy, Fishbone, Hillside Hooligans and DJ Dubconscious play at Ship Point Inner Harbour, come down to Lucky Bar to catch Ska Fest veterans from Edmonton - Mad Bomber Society with hometown guests of honour Everybody Left and Blackwood Kings (who will be playing on Ska Fest for their first time).

Admission is through purchase of a Full Fest Pass or you can purchase a double ticket to this show and Barrington Levy/Fishbone for $52.50 on ticketweb.ca

Still seeing stars from seeing Barrington Levy, Fishbone, Hillside Hooligans and DJ Dubconscious play at Ship Point Inner Harbour? Keep the party going at the Victoria Event Centre! We've got a party packed with funk, hip-hop, punk/rock and reggae.

SpaceBoots
You wanna Party? So does SpaceBoots. They'll melt faces with their roaring-riffs and tight bands - it's gonna be a night that never ends when these boys hit the Event centre stage.

Def 3
2 time - WCMA "Rap Recording of the year" Nominee, Def3, is a Canadian hip hop artist who has gained International notoriety with his music playing over 100 shows a year around the globe, showcasing at festivals such as SXSW, MIDEM, 2010 Winter Olympics (Sask. Pavilion Headliner), JUNOFEST, NXNE, CMW, Breakout West and more. His contagious songs are amplified by his highly energetic & interactive performance. His newest album "WILDLIF3" produced by Factor set to be released June 24th on URBNET.

Ganjo Bassman
After 5 years of playing various genres with different groups, Ganjo decided to go solo and created the "2012" project releasing an E.P. The music uses killer bass lines, some skanky guitar with a touch of hip-hop rhythms to create a unique blend which Ganjo refers to as "Rock-Reggae-Hop". This E.P is a sample of Ganjo's profound, yet simple style which also currently resides in more that 50 other songs. Ganjo toured in support of his EP release across Mexico, Canada, Europe, England, Italy , France , Spain joining tours & festivals in support of Ky Mani Marley, The Wailers, Alboroise, Gondwana & More.

Admission is through purchase of a Full Fest Pass or you can purchase a double ticket to this show and Barrington Levy/Fishbone for $52.50 on ticketweb.ca

Ska Festival Workshop Series: Fishbone - Everyday Sunshine

One of the most exciting interactive programs of the fifteenth anniversary is a film presentation and Q&A with Fishbone. Fishbone has been a premiere band in the ska, funk and punk scene for decades. This will be their third time playing the Victoria Ska Festival. The screening of ‘Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone” will provide audiences with a unique experience as they will have the opportunity to interact with members Angelo Moore and Norwood Fisher (the leaders of Fishbone) following the film. Audience members will have a chance to ask the musicians about the content of the film, the trials and tribulations of being a band on the cusp of stardom and the perceived changes in the music industry in the 29 years the band has been performing.

Arguably one of the most acclaimed ska artists in the world: Lynval Golding of legendary ska band The Specials will be presenting his workshop titled “The Meaning Behind the Lyrics.” This workshop will explore the music and culture that has transformed the genres of ska and reggae throughout England and beyond. More specifically, Golding will explain in depth some of The Specials' most popular songs offering the historical context behind the lyrics and why they were written. This will be an incredible learning experience for both regional and international artists and festival fans as will they have an opportunity participate in a cross educational experience with an artist who has found international success spanning generations.

Now THIS is what we're talking about! The Aggrolites will be performing with the legendary Lynval Golding of The Specials. Joining them will be California's Expanders. For fans of groups like The Gladiators and the Ethiopians, The Expanders will get you moving and grooving. Rounding out the evening are local funk/ska kings, Sweetleaf. Come on down and enjoy a legendary night of Victoria's 15th Anniversary Ska Festival! Victoria, you've never had a better time than when you're dancing at Ska Fest.

The Aggrolites
Hailing from LA, The Aggrolites are once again back at Victoria’s Ska Festival to play some Dirty Reggae. Taking the best of old and new, The Aggrolites have taken audiences worldwide on a musical stampede of ska, skinhead reggae, soul, and funk since 2002. What started as a live backing band for Derrick Morgan has since become one of today’s best ska and reggae groups. They have appeared on the children’s show Yo Gabba Gabba! as well as providing instrumental support for Rancid’s Tim Armstrong on his solo album, A Poet’s Life. Lynval Golding, of The Specials, will be joining The Aggrolites onstage for this performance, making it a Ska Fest performance that should not be missed.

The Expanders
Since 2003, The Expanders have been performing a rootsy mix of reggae and rocksteady music. From sunny South California, The Expanders play in the style of such classic groups like The Ethiopians, Culture, and The Mighty Diamonds. An emphasis on strong vocal-harmonies and catchy tunes, The Expanders are the perfect fit for our own sunny festival. The old Kingston sound is well and alive and ready to kick it at Victoria’s 15th Annual Ska Festival.

Sweetleaf
Victoria’s own Sweetleaf play an amazing mix of ska, reggae, and funk. They’ve played with Mad Caddies, Ill Scarlett, and played at last year’s Ska Festival with The Debonaires and The Revivers. Those who love to dance should check this group out. They’ve now established themselves as one of Victoria’s go-to groups for high quality ska and reggae.

All Ages/Beverage Garden w/ID. Food Concessions and Merchandise Tents! Single, Double, Harbour and Full Fest Passes on sale now on ticketweb.ca!

Giraffe Aftermath and Burnt went out on an epic California tour in the spring of 2013 that included stops on the grounds of Coachella at The Date Shed. Now they're back playing together at Victoria's 15th Anniversary Ska Festival at Upstairs Cabaret following the Aggrolites/Lynval Golding of the Specials show at Ship Point. Giraffe Aftermath have almost finished pressing their brand new album that will be released shortly before this show.

Joining Giraffe Aftermath and Burnt will be Grossbuster who will be sampling and playing reggae, dub and hip hop.

It's been a minute since Barrington Levy & Detour Posse set foot on the west coast of Canada. It was 2011 when he played a pair of shows in Victoria and Vancouver to celebrate Pepperpot Radio's 10th Year Anniversary. NOW BARRINGTON LEVY is returning to celebrate Victoria's 15th Anniversary Ska Festival and he is going to make a pit stop to his old stomping ground in Vancouver.

Victoria BC Ska Society is honoured to present this show to Vancouver and the rest of Western Canada.

Barrington Levy & Detour Posse will be joined by Vancouver's own The Ponderosas and DJ Scovie of Blacktusk Sound!

And if you want a double dose of Barrington Levy make sure you check him out at the Victoria Ska Festival with Fishbone the following evening at Ship Point Inner Harbour.

Ska Festival Workshop Series: Classic Analogue Solutions for the Modern Home Studio

Classic Analogue Solutions for the Modern Home Studio
3pm Thursday July 3rd @ Long and Mcquade Education Centre (2822 Nanaimo St)

The fifteenth anniversary workshop series will kick off with a panel-style seminar titled “Classic Analogue Solutions in the Modern Home Studio.” The panel will be moderated by self-made Vancouver producer/musician Patrick Watson Quine and the guests will include producers Matthew Gibbs (Electric City Sound – Victoria), Danny Franco (Burnt - San Francisco), Luke Devillier (Giraffe Aftermath - Vancouver) and more TBA. This diverse collective will discuss the ever changing face of music production and its place in the world of ska and its related genres. This spirited and interactive panel will expose attendees to multiple techniques and viewpoints on the production process and allow them to interact as well.

VICTORIA'S 15TH ANNIVERSARY SKA FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL SHOWCASE!

Our FREE SHOW for July 2nd offers some of the best in international reggae and ska music. There is no better way to spend the day after Canada Day in Victoria than with ska and reggae music. Colombia's Providencia and Isreal's Zvuloon Dub System will be featured along with our own Downtown Mischief as well as Brass Action from Vancouver. Keep the summer going and enjoy some of the best music in town. This free and family friendly event is part our mandate to keep ska music accessible to all-ages.

Providencia
From Medellin, Colombia, Providencia have been playing their punk and latin-infused reggae since 2001. They have performed at many of the country’s largest music festivals and have worked hard to strengthen the country’s independent music scene. In 2009 they received the Subterrania award for Best Reggae Group, and show no sign of stopping. This 6-piece are full of international energy and will surely be one of the surprise highlights of the festival.

Zvuloon Dub System
Zvuloon Dub System have established themselves as Israel's premier reggae band. The universal messages of roots and reggae music is strong with this group. Their tight vocals and authentic rhythms are great for old and new reggae fans alike. They sing in both English and Amharic have been rocking audiences since 2006. Bringing a true international flair, Zvuloon Dub Soundsystem are ready to rock the Ska Fest stage!

Downtown Mischief
Bringing in some funk and jazz to the Victoria Ska Fest, Downtown Mischief storm the stage with an energy and passion matched by few. Smooth grooves and progressive elements bring up a swell of positive music and good times. Hitting the stage with groups like Jah Cutta, Giraffe Aftermath, and Los Furios, Downtown Mischief will definitely be bringing the party!

The Brass Action
Vancouver’s Brass Action are coming in hard and fast! This energetic and horn-heavy group play a mix of ska, punk, rock, reggae, and whatever else they please. Fans of groups like The Mad Bombers Society and Mighty Mighty Bosstones will love The Brass Action. They’ve mixed it up with The Toasters, Rude City Riot, and The Bone Daddies, and are finally bringing it to the Ska Fest stage.

All Ages/Beverage Garden w/ID. Food Concessions and Merchandise Tents! Single, Double, Harbour and Full Fest Passes on sale now on ticketweb.ca!

Victoria BC Ska Society proudly presents The Aggrolites, The Valuables, The Mean Threes, Jonny Was and Young Royal of Boss Takeover - Wed. July 2nd, 2014 at Imperial Vancouver - one of Vancouver's hottest new rooms! This show is being produced in support of Victoria's 15th Anniversary Ska Festival which will be happening in Victoria BC - July 1st - 5th, 2014.

The combination of all of these bands on the same bill is rare on Canada's westcoast so when it comes together you have gotsta come out! Note: The Mean Threes have replaced The Expanders as of June 24th, 2014.

We are excited beyond belief to present this first ever Canada Day Mash Up in Victoria, BC featuring WALSHY FIRE (of Major Lazer & Black Chiney), KYTAMI and Cold Residents! Come out to Victoria's hypest Canada Day celebration!

On line tickets on sale now. Click the link below to purchase: http://tktwb.tw/1rSsAym

Walshy Fire - the king of Miami dancehall juggling duties as the DJ and hype man for Diplo’s genre-bending dancehall carnival, Major Lazer and one of Jamaica's more revered sound systems Black Chiney. He lays down the dancehall influence hard into Major Lazer and keeps the high reputation Black Chiney has built around the Caribbean and the rest of the world.

Whether hyping up a crowd of discerning reggae enthusiasts with expert selections or introducing European festival crowds to the meaning of “Pon De Floor”, WALSHY FIRE has truly earned the title of Global Ambassador of Music & Culture.

KYTAMI

Kytami is no stranger to Victoria BC Ska Society and the Victoria Ska Festival as she has made appearances on shows with Rocky Mountain Rebel Music (now defunct), Tanya Stephens and other groups. She was also the co-founder and a critical member of Vancouver's Delhi to Dublin up to 2010. Now Kytami's solo career is blossoming as audiences can see how talented and versitile she is. It's hard for someone from any genre not to like what she creates whether she is mixing classical music with hip hop, drum n' bass, dancehall or dubstep there is something for everyone at Kytami's performances.

COLD RESIDENTS

Cold Residents was founded by Reflectionz and Aleph 1ne in early 2012. The brand was originally created as a foundation for the duo, releasing songs for mix tapes such as “The All Love Album” and “Pacific Pressure mix tape,” as well as dropping their first single, “Opening Doors.” They have since expanded their roster to include the creative expertise of such artists as Ishkan, and Ashleigh Eymann each with their own established presence in the west coast Hip-hop scene, and each the master of their own respective style. They have come together to expand on what they can do as individuals, and agree that the phrase, “5TRENGTH 1N NUMB3RS,” is probably not just cliché or taboo.

Following years of solid reggae/dub/hip hop shows that have been slowly turning into jaw-dropping performances, Giraffe Aftermath will finally be showcasing their latest musical masterpiece to Vancouver and area on Wed. June 18th, 2014.

The band is on the cusp of becoming more known outside their usual musical community. This upcoming album release is following a successful US tour of California in the spring of 2013 and their fourth straight upcoming appearance on Victoria's Annual Ska Festival.

On this special night Giraffe Aftermath will be joined by the afro-cuban sounds of Kutapira (with members from both The Boom Booms and The Ponderosas) + Redeye Empire.

It's not very often that you see all three of these talented bands all on the same bill. So when you put them together it makes for a show that is not too be missed.

Victoria BC Ska Society proudly presents Mesa, Arizona's punk kings Authority Zero for the first time on the Island - Tuesday, May 13th, 2014 at Lucky Bar with guests Torches to Trigger from Calgary, Victoria's own Blackwood Kings and Nanaimo's MC Unite!

Mesa, AZ based punk rock royalty AUTHORITY ZERO has managed to weather the music industry storm and endure living on the road away from friends and loved ones for almost 2 decades. With four studio albums under their belt, two live acoustic albums, and two EP’s, they appear to be just getting started. Over the past few years the band has broke ground internationally, beginning with shows in Japan, followed by performances at Belgium’s legendary Groezrock, Spain’s Resurrection Fest and UK’s Rebellion Fest amongst countless other European festivals. With tours through Russia and Australia in the works, AUTHORITY ZERO continues to seek new destinations to spread their live show and music.

This show is both a skankster's and punkster's paradise all in one! Los Kung Fu Monkeys (Tijuana, Mexico) are one of North America's premier ska/punk, hard core bands. They are revered all over Mexico and throughout the United States. In 2010 the band made their Canadian debut at Victoria's 11th Annual Ska Festival and now they're back for more! After you finish seeing them you will probably be drenched.

Jah Cutta - Montreal's king of reggae is no stranger to our Island's reggae scene. Jah Cutta has played in Victoria many times over the years both headlining shows and playing alongside regional bands such as Giraffe Aftermath and also international powerhouses such as Barrington Levy & Detour Posse. Jah Cutta has also appeared on Victoria's Annual Ska Festival.

Finally Everybody Left are the hometown heroes of this show!

Victoria’s Underground-Indie-Left Coast-Reluctant Reggae-Post Ska-Dirty Popsters were rumoured to hit the the studio this fall but those people are misinformed. Recordings have already begun for their anticipated full length debut, set for a mid-2014 release. The yet-to-named album will mark the introduction to new guitarist, Alex Prescott to the lineup.

The Complete Everybody Left Season One has been released digitally on and features the self-titled 2010, 2012 and Live in Calgary EPs.

Twenty years has come and gone and The Planet Smashers - Canada's ska kings have stood the test of time representing the genre throughout Canada and beyond for all that time. In terms of touring, not many indie Canadian bands come close. The Planet Smashers have headlined countless tours in North America, 8 European tours, been included on 5 Vans Warped Tour as well as a Japanese tour in 2002. They have toured with such acts as AFI, the Toasters, Sick of it All, Billy Talent, Rancid, Mustard Plug, Simple Plan, Samiam, The Aquabats, Mighty Mighty Bosstones and countless others. In addition to spreading the message of ska and reggae to the world, the band has supported numerous other bands through Stomp Records (the lead singer's longtime ska/punk/reggae record label based out of Montreal.

Twenty years has come and gone and The Planet Smashers - Canada's ska kings have stood the test of time representing the genre throughout Canada and beyond for all that time. In terms of touring, not many indie Canadian bands come close. The Planet Smashers have headlined countless tours in North America, 8 European tours, been included on 5 Vans Warped Tour as well as a Japanese tour in 2002. They have toured with such acts as AFI, the Toasters, Sick of it All, Billy Talent, Rancid, Mustard Plug, Simple Plan, Samiam, The Aquabats, Mighty Mighty Bosstones and countless others. In addition to spreading the message of ska and reggae to the world, the band has supported numerous other bands through Stomp Records (the lead singer's longtime ska/punk/reggae record label based out of Montreal.

The Victoria BC Ska Society and UVic Ska and Reggae Club are proud to announce the second annual Rudefest, an all-ages mayhem-fueled dance party dedicated to the spirit of ska, reggae, punk, hardcore, funk, and dub.

This is the second of FOUR April shows designed to celebrate being "On the Road to the 15th Anniversary Victoria Ska Festival."

Performers:

Ninjaspy (Vancouver)

Ninjaspy knows how to put on one hell of a show. Just ask anybody who's seen them on one of their many cross-country treks. A true fusion band, Ninjaspy mixes the dance-ready beats and thick grooves of ska, reggae, and funk with the thrashing aggression of hardcore and metal. The mainland group, comprised of brothers Joel, Adam, and Tim Parent, possesses one of the most diverse sounds to ever pop up along the west coast.

Their unique musical output has allowed them to share the stage alongside modern metal icons such as Protest the Hero, Coheed and Cambria, and Periphery, while also making appearances at such events as the 2012 Victoria Ska Festival. Their 2007 full-length album Pi Nature received universal critical acclaim, and their most recent release, 2013's No Kata, an experimental musical journey through metal, drum n' bass, and dub, is accompanied by a graphic novel. Both releases were produced by Garth Richardson, known for his work with Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rage Against the Machine, and Rise Against among others.

Ninjaspy's performance at Rudefest will see the trio expand to a five-piece, with the addition of trombonist Mike Kayser and trumpeter Cole Graham, known for their work with Vancouver groups such as Whiskey Chief and Whitey. Also, with Ninjaspy bringing a heavy edge to this show, we're thrilled to announce a partnership with Heavy Metal UVic for this event.

If you like the heavy ska fusion of bands such as Leftover Crack, Voodoo Glowskulls, and Fishbone, Ninjaspy is for you. See ya in the pit.

https://www.facebook.com/ninjaspy

SweetLeaf

By popular demand, SweetLeaf is back for Rudefest 2.0!

Victoria’s SweetLeaf formed in November 2011 when singer-guitarist Chris Jones responded to an online ad. “Victoria's ska scene and music scene in general is so supportive of new talent,” says Jones. “I love the bands in this town and all the people that come out to move their feet.” After six months of rehearsals, SweetLeaf made its debut at an underground warehouse show thrown for members of the Victoria BC Ska Society, a non-profit organization that produces the yearly Victoria Ska Festival. Since then, the group has honed their live performance to be sharp and energetic.

“Man, now that the days of making money from recordings are over, a live show is a band's bread-and-butter,” explains Jones. “We want to be the [band] you leave talking about, waiting for our next one.”

When listening to SweetLeaf, who wields a three-piece horn section, one can sense inspiration from the upbeat 90’s ska sound of bands such as Reel Big Fish and No Doubt. But as Jones contests, SweetLeaf is more than just a ska band. “We’ve never had any boundaries in what genre of music moves us. Hip hop, funk, ska, punk, jazz, soul, bluegrass - really anything that's original.”

www.facebook.com/Sweetleafmusic

Blackwood Kings (Victoria)

Just two years into their evolution, Blackwood Kings is one of the more unique bands to pop up in the Victoria scene. Building upon a foundation of Jamaican genres such as ska, reggae, and dub, Blackwood Kings also incorporate influences from styles as diverse as punk, progressive rock, funk, hip-hop, and metal.

Named after the Victoria BC street corner where the band rehearses, this is a group ready to make some waves. Laid-back reggae rhythms, odd time signatures, dueling guitar solos, slap bass lines, frantic jungle beats-- no musical idea is off limits, making live performances varied and energetic.

Blackwood Kings has shared the stage with notable acts such as Ghana's Paapa Wastik, Hot Rain from Hawaii, Canadian reggae legend Jah Cutta, and J-Boog from Compton, California.

Things are just getting started for this young, progressive dub quartet.

https://www.facebook.com/BlackwoodKings

Fins Out (Victoria)

The idea for the Fins Out was first put forward at the end of the 2009 summer when friends Derek Myles and Rob Thomas were chilling in whistler for some late-summer wakeboarding. In the evenings after riding they were listening to different punk and ska songs on Youtube and thought "Man it would be sick to start a punk band." Several months later, the first Fins Out songs were written in a cheap Bali hotel. The sound was punk but also surfy, and so they called it surf punk.

Today, the Victoria punks have been quickly making a name for themselves in the local scene. The bands philosophy is like a big fast loose fins-free surf turn, basically the way the members like to live their lives: fast, loose, and care free. Fins Out!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/FINS-OUT/217549648280630

This event is proudly brought to you by The Victoria BC Ska Society, UVic Ska and Reggae Club, Heavy Metal UVic, and UVic Student's Society.

You all know how much Victoria BC Ska Society loves presenting reunion shows. So we wanted to ask those that used to be active in the all ages ska/reggae/punk scene in the late 80s and 90s if you've ever heard of the band Roots Roundup? If you used to go to Pressure Cooker or Cultivator shows you'll know what we're talking about. Regardless if you don't know you will be able to learn now as they'll be part of our On the Road to Ska Fest festivities in April 2014.

Roots Roundup plays a high energy hybrid of globe-spanning music, mashing up the sounds of rock’n roll, reggae, ska, afro-beat, folk, funk and pure old school punk rock.The Roots Roundup lineup has evolved over the years as members pursued various musical interests including performing, writing, recording and teaching. Core Roots members Greg Hathaway, Dave Hannah (Dym-E-Tree), Barry Taylor, Keith Rose, David Hathaway, Mark Campbell, Shuggy Milligan and special guest trombonist Andy Cakes reunited in 2005, treating a full house of loyal and new fans to a truly rip-roaring two-night performance at the Fairview Pub in Vancouver.

Originally formed in 1985 in a small apartment in East Vancouver, Roots Roundup became widely known through the late 80′s and early 90′s as one of Canada’s hardest working, hardest touring and hardest rockin’ worldbeat dance bands. They released numerous independent recordings including “Get Rooted”, “What We Do”, “Syzygy” and in 1997, “Rootrospective”, a 16 song collection spanning their entire recording career.

Stomp Records' "Reggae Pharmacists" The Skinny make their Island debut on Thur. April 3, 2014 at our On the Road to Ska Fest membership event.

They create asound that pleases both purists and enthusiasts by combining old school reggae and ska grooves with the sultry melodies of classic soul and pop. This is a musical
prescription that is sure to soothe and relieve all your aches and pains. Straight out of Montreal, Canada.

In the fall of 2010, Howie and Brian hatched a plan of putting together the band of their dreams. Having played in a number of local bands such as “Take The Boys”, ”Stepper”, and "The Fabulous LoLo", they decided to add another chapter to the already flourishing Montreal ska bible with The Skinny. They have been the talk of the town since the release of their first EP in 2012 entitled “Cut the Fat” where you can hear it featured on college and internet radio as well as from the speakers of many passing cars.

The Skinny has shared the stage with several Montreal ska and reggae favourites such as "The Fundamentals", and "Danny Rebel and the KGB", as well as having headlined their own showcases. Now that their first album is complete, they plan on touring extensively to bring their brand of “Musical Medication” to the masses.

St. Paddy's Day Tour

Join us Friday March. 7th for The Real Mckenzies St. Paddy's Day Tour and CD release of "Westwinds". Joining them are Montreal's BOIDS and Victoria's own garage rock n' roll The Stockers.

The Real Mckenzies are baaaack… Westwinds is packed to the brim with roaring, rollicking and epic tales that shanghai the listener on a thirteen song, sea-tossed journey through the wild and wonderful world of The Real McKenzies. Recorded over several months at Crabapple Downs by the phenomenal Steve Loree, Westwinds is a sonic shot of deliciousness delivered straight to your ear holes. From the unapologetic raised middle figure salute of “Fool’s Road” to the hook-laden tongue-in-cheek “My Luck Is So Bad” to one of the most poignant and blood-pumping renditions of “Barrett’s Privateers (Stan Rogers)” that you’ll ever hear, this killer album is set to become an instant classic in the collections of both new and diehard fans alike. Much like a fine single malt scotch, The Real McKenzies only get better with age .

The BOIDS - How do you define this made-up word? You define it as BOIDS; Montréal’s unstoppable punk rock juggernaut. Yes, kiddies, these Boys Of Intelligent Design & Style sure are here to stay, blazing trails through long-forgotten alleyways & loitering in strictly the most illoiterable locations. Inspired by a hatred of love and a love of hate, these four strapping young shyboys band together to channel Cosmic Frustration into a fine balance of pop-punk, thrash and old-school HC.

The Stocker's Victoria's own fueled by booze, cigarettes, hot rods, hot yoga, motorcycles, and rock and roll fire off the night! Get there early as this show will tear you a new asshole! Advance tickets $15 available at Ditch Records, BC Smoke Shop, Lyle's Place and ticketweb.ca . Lucky Bar, 517 Yates Street. Doors at 10pm.

Mad Caddies are back to Vancouver after a five year hiatus which saw them go into the music think tank and write a brand new album for us to enjoy! The band has slowly got back into the musical mix world-wide playing major festivals and events in Europe and South America including a special one-off performance at the most recent Victoria Ska Festival (Victoria BC, Canada) in July of 2013.

The band will be joined by Clarkson, Ontario's Ill Scarlett and Vancouver's Los Furios!

This show will be one of several leading up to Victoria's 15th Anniversary Ska Festival in July 2014.

Mad Caddies are back in Victoria after an unforgettable Victoria Ska Festival performance in July 2013. They are coming this time with a new album which saw them go into the music think tank for almost five years!

The band will be joined by Clarkson, Ontario's Ill Scarlett and Victoria's own Sweetleaf!

This show will be one of several leading up to Victoria's 15th Anniversary Ska Festival in July 2014.

THE RETURN OF BRAVE NEW WAVES with guests GANJO BASSMAN & JAKE MCFADDEN!

For those of you that remember it wasn't long ago that Brave New Waves roamed our cabarets all over Victoria, up the Island, Gulf Islands and Vancouver playing their own brand of beachy chilled out reggae and ska. Now after a two year hiatus from performances the band is back and ready to bring back the party to the Island's reggae/ska community.

After 5 years of playing various genres with different groups, Ganjo decided to go solo and created the "2012" project releasing an E.P. It captures both the fresh sound that he's been searching for as well as his artistic versatility. The 4 song compilation takes you on a mindful journey of everyday life from partying with friends to empowerment and awareness. The music uses killer bass lines, some skanky guitar with a touch of hip-hop rhythms to create a unique blend which Ganjo refers to as "Rock-Reggae-Hop". This E.P is a sample of Ganjo's profound, yet simple style which also currently resides in more that 50 other songs. Ganjo toured in support of his EP release across Mexico, Canada, Europe, England, Italy , France , Spain joining tours & festivals in support of Ky Mani Marley, The Wailers, Alboroise, Gondwana & More, Voted "Best Rock/Reggae Band in Mexico" by RUTZ Magazine , "Video of the Week" on Hit TV, Television Azteca Mexico.

Recently Ganjo has re-located to British Columbia, Canada and is currently working on plans for new music & a video with Producer Jamie Marshall ( Twilight, Warrior, Face Off, Starship Troopers) as well as recruting a new band bringing his trademark power trio, high energy performances to venues near you...

Finally the show will be rounded out by Jake McFadden whose background comes from east to west where he now resides. Jake McFadden has been performing in the Victoria for almost two years but in that short time he has made connections with Victoria's ska/reggae community playing with bands such as Sweetleaf, Everybody Left, Dope Soda and Rocky Mountain Rebel Music. In addition to playing alongside ska and reggae bands McFadden has also played with producer/song writers such as Chris Velan and Fred Penner.

Be sure to get tickets for this show as soon as you can because it is guaranteed to sell out!

Bananafish Dance Orchestra, The New Groovement and The Ponderosas are teaming up to give us a full night of Latin, funk, soul/R&B, reggae and ska at Upstairs Cabaret. All three bands will blend perfectly together. And you know the show will have a bunch of awesome natured beautiful looking people at it. AND you'll be able to dance all night.

Also note Bananafish Dance Orchestra have released their brand new album titled Rampage and it's really good! They'll be playing a bunch of songs off it at this show.

Advance tickets are $12 available at Lyle's, Ditch & ticketweb.ca

ALL AFRICAN CHRISTMAS MEMBER SPECIAL AT VBCSS HQ!

We´re having an All African Christmas at the VBCSS HQ on Saturday, December 7th for our VBCSS Christmas Member Special! Get to know Aboubacar Camara (Guinea) & Afrocen3 (Nigeria). Both bands live in Victoria but are from the aforementioned countries. Aboubacar Camara will be bringing West African and Guinean traditional rhythms blended with elements of Funk, Soukous, Afro Beat, and Reggae.

Afrocen3 will be performing a mixture of dancehall, reggae & R&B.

This is yet another reason to get your Victoria BC Ska Society and the Victoria Ska Fest membership. If you pay it to attend the Shaggy Member Afterparty a couple weeks before this event you won´t have to pay to get in (although donations are appreciated to cover costs).

HILLSIDE HOOLIGANS' ALBUM RELEASE!

Finally our hometown reggae/punk/ska heroes Hillside Hooligans are coming out with a long awaited new album for everyone on the Island and beyond to enjoy. It's been awhile since we've seen Hilliside Hooligans... Their last appearance was at Victoria's 14th Annual Ska Festival opening for The Debonaires at Ship Point Inner Harbour.

Joining them will be the ska veterans of Vancouver - LOS FURIOS! Don't miss your chance to see Los Furios in action. They don't come over the straight very often either and their last appearance in Victoria was at Ska Fest opening for Mad Caddies at Ship Point.

Finally Downtown Mischief is a 10 piece funk/reggae/ska/hip hop ensemble of wickedness (with a capital "W" in the best way possible). Downtown Mischief are an offshoot of The Boots of Mischief but just bigger!

All this fun goes down at Publik (we call it the old Limit) 1318 Broad Street in Victoria.

Victoria BC Ska Society proudly presents SHAGGY with Juno Award winning Mikey Dangerous and local party selector DJ Anger - Sunday, November 24th at Club 9ONE9. This show will be the 2nd of two Shaggy concerts at Club 9ONE9 as part of our ALL SHAGGY WEEKEND/10TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY BASH for Victoria BC Ska Society!

Be sure to become a member to receive news on exclusive members only shows, and discounts on Full Festival Ska Fest passes and more!

Longtime dancehall, reggae superstar SHAGGY will bless the Island with his first ever appearance on Sat. November 23rd to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of Victoria BC Ska Society.

Grammy Award winning Shaggy has a wide catalog of classics dating back to his most popular works in 1993 when he exploded on the music scene with his debut album “Pure Pleasure.” His remix of the Ska classic Oh Carolina from that album was an instant hit in England and other countries. Shaggy followed up with his sophomore album “Boombastic” in 1995. “Boombastic” went certified platinum, won a Grammy Award in 1996 for Best Reggae Album and topped an impressive chart list that included the Top 40 Rhythmic charts, Hot 100, Billboard 200, among others.

Following that successful Grammy award winning album Shaggy and his manager Robert Livingston (producer of Jamaica's Sting International) formed Big Yard Music Group in 1996.

With the formation of Big Yard Music Group and the success of “Boombastic,” Shaggy forged ahead and recorded his third installment “Midnight Lover” in 1997. Fast forward to 2000, Shaggy released his fourth album “Hotshot” on MCA Records label. “Hotshot” went Diamond worldwide and Platinum 6 times in the United States. Notable singles from that album included It Wasn’t Me and Angel. It Wasn’t Me received a Grammy nomination. Single Luv Me, Luv Me featuring Janet Jackson was released on the Soundtrack for the movie “How Stella Got Her Groove Back.” The album also won best selling album at the 2002 Juno Awards.

In 2002 and 2005 Shaggy released “Lucky Day” and “Clothes Drop” respectively. “Lucky Day” went certified Gold while single Strength Of A Woman made the Top 40 mainstream charts. “Clothes Drop” received a Grammy Nomination for Best Reggae Album. Thereafter, Shaggy busied himself in the studio recording his next album entitled “Intoxication.”

“Intoxication” was released in 2007 and debuted at number 1 on Billboard’s Top Reggae Albums chart, was nominated for Best Reggae Album at the 51st Grammy Awards in 2008 and was the number 1 download on UK iTunes Reggae chart. The first single, Church Heathen, from the album received rave reviews. The song peaked at number 1 on various music charts and won the Best Music Video at the International Reggae and World Music Awards in 2008. The second single Bonafide Girl also made its way to number 1 on music charts. That same year, Shaggy recorded and released single Feel The Rush which was used as the original anthem for the UEFA Euro Cup. The single was featured on various charts throughout Europe and India.

Undaunted by the success of his business ventures and his music, Shaggy has always lived on the premise that “to whom much is giving, much is required.” With this belief, Shaggy took on the role of philanthropist. What began as donations of medical equipment and visits to the Bustamante Hospital For Children to distribute gifts during the holidays, paint rooms, donate beds and creation of a garden, gave birth to the Shaggy Foundation. Developed in 2008, Shaggy recruited business associates, fellow recording artists and sponsors to assist in hosting an annual charity event in which all proceeds are donated to the hospital to help defray the cost of medical equipment. To date, the Shaggy Foundation has been instrumental in raising over $85 million (JMD = $1 million USD) for the hospital.

Shaggy's latest album produced/presented by Sly and Robbie to be released Sept 24th 2013 features some of the best up and coming reggae artists in Jamaica right now including Chronixx, Konshens and Taurus Riley as well as more established and popular artists such as Damian Marley, Beres Hammond and Cocoa Tea.

We invite you to join us for our 10th Anniversary Bash to commemorate the creation of the Victoria BC Ska Society.

Members of the Victoria BC Ska Society can attend our official after party at Hidden Gem studios! Cost of memberships are $20 annually and they are good from the time you sign up for one year.

OFFICIAL SHAGGY MEMBER AFTER PARTY w/KYPRIOS, MIKEY DANGEROUS, ANIMAL NATION & RELIC

Saturday. November 23 following Shaggy and Fredlocks Asher & the Ultra Flex Crew at Club 9ONE9 those that want to keep the party going will be excited about this stacked dancehall/reggae/hip hop line-up we have in store at the official Victoria BC Ska Society Headquarters in Rockbay. Admission to this event is with a membership to Victoria BC Ska Society + donation at the door. Memberships cost $20 per year and can be purchased on paypal on the link below or at the event provided space permits.

http://victoriaskafest.ca/index.php?action=membership_signup

For the first time in more than 5 years we are proud to have Montreal's dancehall/reggae sensation MIKEY DANGEROUS return to the Island! Since Mikey's last Island appearance playing with The Beatnuts he has been performing on various festivals and shows throughout coast to coast.

Kyprios is back touring BC on his recent Ghost bus tour with guests Animal Nation and Relic. Kyprios has toured all over North America solo and as part of Sweatshop Union with the likes of The Black Eyed Peas, Busta Rhymes, Wyclef Jean, The Roots, Rakim, Living Legends, Swollen Members and Jurassic Five to name a few. He has made numerous appearances in television and film and is one of the voices for Michael Jordan’s website jumpman23.com. Kyp has won a Jesse for his musical work in a play called “Cranked”, has licensed music to MTV’s “The Buried Life” and continues to write for/with many artists. He still writes poetry and is eagerly anticipating the release of his next major project The Midnight Sun. 2011 saw Kyprios playing inside Rogers Arena during the Stanley Cup Finals with his hit This Is How The West Was One also playing the The Grey Cup Street Festival, Live At Squamish, Vancouver 125, Tedx and Shambhala. He is currently working on promoting a musical that he co-wrote entitled Ash

MIKEY DANGEROUS

For almost a decade, Montréal reggae artist Mikey Dangerous has been putting his own unique twist on the Canadian dancehall scene. Combining energetic performances with a smooth but dominating vocal flow, Dangerous has long been close to crossing over into mainstream territory. Despite a large and loyal fanbase and a ton of critical acclaim, he’s not quite a household word just yet. But don’t bet against him — this is one hard-working performer. Born and Raised in Kingston, Jamaica, Dangerous has kept up a prolific recording profile, releasing an impressive amount of singles, both digitally and on 45-RPM 7" vinyl. His recordings have also been featured in a number of compilations around the world, from Jamaica to England. In 2008, Dangerous won a Juno Award in the category of Reggae Recording of the Year for his single “Don’t Go Pretending”
Chris Morin - PLANET S - Saskatoon's City Magazine | Est. 2002 | Free Bi-Weekly

Giraffe Aftermath is on the verge of more incredible music to give thousands of people throughout the West Coast who continue to discover just how talented and entertaining this big five piece out of Vancouver is.

Fresh off their spring California tour and another unforgettable Ska Fest performance Giraffe Aftermath returns to Victoria with all their old favourites and a few sneak peak songs from the album they are currently working on right now. Get ready for relax reggae dub bass melodies with sweet harmonies and horn lines and solos that will keep you thirsting for more!

JAH CUTTA

Jah Cutta is an artist who believes that music should serve a purpose – “I was ordained to sing music to uplift people and bring joy into their lives.”
Over the past 37 years he has toured the Caribbean, Canada and the United States. He has shared the stage with performers including Peter Tosh, Beres Hammond, The Wailers, Ken Boothe, Luciano and Sugar Minott. His performances include Rebel Salute in Jamaica, the Montreal and Calgary Jazz Festivals, the Festival of Lights in Montreal and numerous reggae festivals across Canada including Montreal, Saskatoon, Calgary and the Victoria Ska Festival.

His goals are to reach out to those in the poorest nations and to bring a smile to the children’s faces – to provide hope to those who have none and to show that there is a brighter future when people work together to solve a world problems such as hunger and violence.

BLACKWOOD KINGS

Just over a year into their evolution, Blackwood Kings is one of the more unique bands to pop up in the Victoria scene. Building upon a foundation of Jamaican genres such as ska, reggae, and dub, Blackwood Kings also incorporate influences from styles as diverse as punk, progressive rock, funk, hip-hop, and metal. Named after the Victoria BC street corner where the band rehearses, this is a group ready to make some waves. Laid-back reggae rhythms, odd time signatures, dueling guitar solos, slap bass lines, frantic jungle beats-- no musical idea is off limits, making live performances varied and energetic.

After sharing the stage with stalwarts of the local scene such as Mindil Beach Markets and Everybody Left, Blackwood Kings is now splitting bills with out-of-town musicians such as Vancouver's Giraffe Aftermath, Ghana's Paapa Wastik, Canada's reggae legend - Jah Cutta (for this show) and Hawaii/Compton's reggae superstar J-Boog.

September is fast approaching and now we're ready to bring more music to the people with our latest offering called 'WELCOME TO SKAMANIA' Featuring:

Bananafish Dance Orchestra
Sweet Leaf
Everybody Left
Tuff Jelly

This show will be a benefit to the Victoria BC Ska Society to help offset expenses with the rental and renovation costs of the Hidden Gem (Victoria BC Ska Society new official HQ) and to recover funds from a stolen bag belonging to the VBCSS on April 7th of 2013 that had $2000.00 in cash which was ear-marked to pay bands and provide float for the door at J Boog & Hot Rain at On the Road to Ska Fest at Club 9ONE9.

Advance tickets: $12+ at Lyle's Place, Ditch Records & ticketweb.ca

Victoria BC Ska Society is extremely grateful that all the bands playing event are donating their time and talent to help the Society.

So without further adieu...

WELCOME TO SKAMANIA!!

BANANAFISH DANCE ORCHESTRA

Bananafish has created their own verb "RALLY" to describe their general party-tude and performance vibe on and off stage. This 7 piece Latin, reggae, funk, ska, jazz bonanza will have you drenched with sweat from the first to last note. Bananafish Dance Orchestra have been shredding up BC playing at various festivals including opening for Toots and the Maytals and Chicago Afro Beat Project at the last two Victoria Ska Festivals and performing at other festivals such as Kaslo Jazz Fest, Vancouver Island Music Fest and Islands Folk Fest. They are presently working on new material for their new album set to be released later this year.

SWEETLEAF

Sweetleaf are an explosive 7 piece ska/reggae/funk party band from Victoria. With a solid rhythm section and irresistibly entertaining horn section there are no limits for this band that include current and former members of ska famila bands such as Hillside Hooligans, Crude Cultura and Blackwood Kings. Formed in 2012 Sweetleaf is quickly becoming known and one of the Island's ska powerhouses. They made their debut at Ska Fest earlier this summer opening for The Debonaires at Ship Point and have played several other unforgettable shows in 2013 including Rudefest and Bass Camp.

EVERYBODY LEFT

Everybody Left's members came together out of frustration with their previous projects. Steve Fissel & Ad-Mac came out of indie-rock band Another Day Lived and joined up with The Racket*: Part-Time Steve & Eric The Red. "We were getting anxious while attempting to make punk rock with drum machines and welcomed the addition of a drummer and another multi-instumentalist." commented the duo. The quartet began to play and write together. A decision to record themselves led to home studio experimentation and improvisation. And now, the Victoria BC group can finally check "make a CD" off the list. Everybody Left has played at festivals on the Island including V.I.C. Fest and Victoria Ska Festival the past three years. They also created a hit song "Down for the Ride" in 2010 that still enjoys regular rotation on Victoria's main rock radio station The Zone @ 91.3FM

TUFF JELLY

Tuff Jelly are among the Island most soulful reggae/rocksteady/ska bands. The heavy bass and drums combined with catchy horn solos make almost anyone listening to them move their body. The band says, “We, trying to learn an old Jamaican technique to develop a combination of our favorite genres. Reggae, Hip Hop, Soul, Funk, and Jazz tracks are always in rotation, always playing. If I were to tell you in one genre, what Tuff Jelly was, I'd tell you reggae. The sound description is different from 1970's - 80's Jamaican/UK reggae though. The Aggrolites call their sound Dirty Reggae, some wouldn't classify it as reggae, when you put genres like Rock Steady and Ska into the mix. TuffJelly, this is Rude Raw Reggae.”

“Street Wise (the Art of Looping)”

Ben Stanford A.K.A. Dub FX is likely the most successful street performer of all time. His strength as a musician comes from his highly technical mind and his dedication to being independent and unique. DubFX creates intricate layered and textured songs, real time, using his own voice and multiple effects pedals including, most importantly, a looping station. He has remained independent throughout his entire career and currently tours the world with the Cade, Flower Ferry, and Snarephone among others.

“Street Wise (the Art of Looping)” with DUB FX will demonstrate the art of looping by way of beatboxing, vocals and tweaks. The audience will be guided on a journey through the love of loop, experiencing how moments of impromptu inspirations can play a key role in capturing the attention of potential lifetime fans. Also the session will cover some street promotion techniques and the use of a loop pedal to enhance both live and recorded music. The session will consist of a checklist format listing the tools and necessities needed to be a versatile street performer.

"Percussion, Rhythm, and Improvisations in Ska" by Larry McDonald

One of the greatest congueros Jamaica has ever produced, Larry Mcdonald is a rhythmic icon in the ska world. In a career that stretches back to the early ’60s, he has worked alongside some of the greatest ska and reggae artists of all time including Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Lee “Scratch” Perry, The Skatalites, and Gil-Scott Heron. Larry recently released his first solo effort, drumquestra, at the age of 73. Victoria Ska Society is blessed to have Larry Mcdonald grace our stage alongside David Hillyard and the Rocksteady Seven.

The workshop ‘Rhythmic Patterns and Improvisations in Ska’ will include a reflection on McDonald’s long and distinguished career, plenty of musical demonstrations and a focus on the many rhythms that can accent and distinguish a traditional ska or reggae beat including the Nyabinghi. This workshop is a must for drummers and percussionists or anyone with a keen interest in rhythmic patterns. The interactive portion of the workshop will include a chance for die hard music fans
to converse with a legend.

"Contemporary Directions in Ghanaian Music"

Born in Ghana and educated by American hip hop, Blitz the Ambassador is a fusion artist who defies comparison. Sharing equal parts of his artistic growth in Ghana and Brooklyn, Blitz has taken a path most MC's do not take, he plays with a live band, composing complex musicto back his rhymes. Come take part in a one of a kind opportunity to hear this talented artist explain his career, the art of musical fusion and the meaning of ‘hip-life.’

"Contemporary Directions in Ghanaian Music" will feature Blitz talking about his youth, education and artistic growth. The art of fusion willbe explored as well as Blitz's unique composing style, demonstrated with his full band in a live setting. The audience will be able to participate with the interactive portion of the workshop.

GAPPY RANKS breaks new ground with his wicked party dancehall while often using riddims from the ol school in the mix. Gappy Ranks has become one of the best up and coming dancehall reggae artists in the UK and North American scenes. He has appeared and is scheduled to perform at various major festivals throughout the world including Summer Jam In Germany, Glastonbury Music Festival and Sierra World Music Festival In California.

Gappy Ranks has also Wore the hat as producer on a number of projects though his independent record label Hot Coffee Music & has produced for recording artists such as Gyptian (whom he has a hit single with), Chino, Busy Signal, Delly Ranx, Bugle, Khago, Bramma, Laden, Bobby Hustle, JBoog, Chucky Star, & many more including Reddman Uk who Gappy Ranks signed To his Hot Coffee Music Label In 2011.

KYPRIOS

The classic definition of the term MC is one that has the ability to grip a mic and control the crowd, and Kyprios has more than earned this title. He is a commanding presence on stage – able to hold the crowd in silent rapture as he drops an introspective piece that draws heavily from spoken word, only to suddenly flip it and incite a sea of thrusting hands with a rapid fire set of punchline-laden lyrical flows. Able to deliver a seamless blend of rapping, singing and harmonizing, the North Vancouver, BC native’s larynx is a potent stash of varied lyrical weapons.

BOBBY HUSTLE

Bobby Hustle expresses this balance through reggae music in a style all his own. Exposed to a diverse range of music during his childhood, Bobby was taking saxophone lessons in primary school and it wasn’t long before he picked up a guitar and began emulating his favorite singers. With polished lyrics and a natural sense for melody, Bobby delivers the perspective of a young hustler, constantly on the move yet still enjoying every moment on his way to success. Already having toured the states with Konshens, Protoje and Gappy Ranks respectively, Bobby’s music is taking the streets, clubs and radio waves by storm. Reaching charts worldwide with tunes like “Weed Like Mine” and “Seventh Time Rise”, Bobby is moving forward and climbing the ranks of the industry.

TANK GYAL

Tank Gyal has become known as the "top shotta" of the dancehall scene in Vancouver. She's held down the most successful consistently running dancehall night called "Ting" at the Astoria for many years. Not a stranger to Victoria Tank Gyal will keep things warm in between sets for Gappy Ranks, Bobby Hustle, Kyprios and Blessed Coast Sound!

ON THE ROAD TO SKA FEST 2013: J BOOG & HOT RAIN BLESS THE ISLAND FOR THE FIRST TIME!

Sunday, April 7th at Club 9ONE9 Victoria BC Ska Society & Pepperpot - Victoria's Hypest Caribbean Radio are excited to present ON THE ROAD TO SKA FEST 2013 featuring Hawaii/Compton, Cali Reggae Legend J BOOG & HOT RAIN for the first time to the Island!

If you haven't heard of J BOOG you're in for a big (nice) surprise. His band's rhythm section is solid and the vocal harmonies are some of the best in North America. They remind you of roots reggae bands like Culture or The Itals or Israel Vibration. But through his close connections with Gramps Morgan and the Morgan Heritage Family whom he recorded with at Tuff Gong Records in Jamaica, the music is contemporary and high energy at the same time.

J BOOG's collaborations with performers such as Taurus Riley, Richie Spice and the Morgan Heritage Family have catapulted his name to the top of reggae and dancehall circles all over the world.

And other guests of honour on this show include: BLACK TUSK SOUND ft. CHATATTAK & BLACKWOOD KINGS... Read on!

MISTA CHATMAN (aka ChatAttak)

From the mountainsides of eastern WA to the sandy beaches of Jamaica (and many places in between), Reggae music ambassador MISTA CHATMAN remains livicated to entertaining the masses with his booming, ragga styled mic chatting. And for the past few years he has performed in many festivals, shows and reggae parties in places like BC, NYC, SF and JA, both solo and alongside artists such as Delhi2Dublin, Kytami, Subatomic Sound System, Jahdan Blakkamoore, Non Stop Bhangra, and others. He has also shared the stage with many reggae greats such as Collie Buddz, Mad Professor, Barrington Levy, Marlon Asher, and Yellowman. While his live appearances have been his main vehicle for spreading his musical message over the past few years, he also has begun to focus on more recording projects and has collaborated with the likes of Canada's Delhi2Dublin, Kytami, SF dubstep producer El Diablo, Brooklyn-based glitch producer Rx, Slit Jockey Record's El Carnicero, Jamaican artist God Head, BC-based producer The Phonograff, and Vienna's Electro Dance outfit The Kung Fu Divas. He has also begun work on a forthcoming Dancehall Pop EP coming in 2013 with the first single "Mash it Up Again" released in February. And recently, he has started working longside the Black Tusk Sound in which he goes by the name of CHATATTAK.

BLACK TUSK SOUND

Black Tusk Sound is Whistler's first original “dubplate” sound owned and operated by DJ Scovie. DJ Scovie grew up in Toronto and very quickly became a huge fan of reggae music. Influenced mainly by Bob Marley and the early dancehall style of the 90‘s. During this time he was exposed to the competitive style of “Sound Clashing”, influences such as Stone Love, David Rodigan, Killamanjaro, King Turbo, and many others. After moving to BC in 1999 he soon acted on his passion and started DJ’ing the local circuit. DJ Scovie has played throughout the West Coast: Pemberton, BC to Berkeley, CA and holds a weekly residence: “Sound System Wednesday” in Whistler BC. DJ Scovie was selected for the opening of Ky-Mani Marley’s World Tour, Gramps Morgan’s B-Day Bash, Jr. Reid & The One Blood Band’s Tour, Burning Spear, and notably Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley’s Whistler’s 2010 Olympic Jam. DJ Scovie was the Official DJ of the 2010 Jamaican Olympic Bobsleigh Team.

DJ Scovie has been producing and engineering custom made songs known as "dubplates" from some of the world's top reggae artists. DJ Scovie has worked and played with Grammy Award Winning Artists: Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Bunny Wailer, Burning Spear, Luciano, Capleton and many more. The sound system scene is generally regarded as an important part of the reggae music industry. Black Tusk Sound has been producing singles since 2001 and has built a very unique and original "Sound" representing Whistler, Pemberton, and all of British Columbia, Canada.

BLACKWOOD KINGS

Just over a year into their evolution, they're one of the more unique bands to pop up in the Victoria scene. Building upon a foundation of Jamaican genres such as ska, reggae, and dub, Blackwood Kings also incorporate influences from styles as diverse as punk, progressive rock, funk, hip-hop, and metal. Named after the street corner where the band rehearses, this is a group ready to make some waves. Ska Society fans may remember them from their last appearance at Swan's Nightclub with Vancouver's Giraffe Aftermath and Paapa Wastik from Ghana.

Listen to Pepperpot – Victoria's Hypest Caribbean Radio every Saturday 6-7pm on CFUV 101.9FM or CFUV.UVIC.CA to hear music from J BOOG & Hot Rain!

Victoria BC Ska Society & UVIC Ska/Reggae Club in affiliation with the UVSS is proud to announce the first annual "Rudefest." Rudefest is an all-ages mayhem-fueled dance party dedicated to the spirit of Funk, Ska, Dancehall, Dub, Salsa, Punk, Afrobeat, Folk and of course Electric Sex Reggae.

Rocky Mountain Rebel Music (Victoria)

It’s taken 4 years for the 9-piece ska-funk-reggae mash-up known as Rocky Mountain Rebel Music to get to where they are today, and they have been busy. The numbers don’t lie, with over 100 live performances, 5 Canadian tours and 2 albums, RMRM has put in the ground work to establish a live show worth talking about and a crew of committed fans that keep coming back.

RMRM have been voted “Victoria’s Favorite Band” by Monday Magazine as well as The Zone FM's band of the month. Also their versatility in sound has given them the opportunity to share the stage with popular acts such as Ky-Mani Marley, Gramps Morgan, The Aggrolites, John Brown’s Body, Kyprios, and The Black Seeds. Legendary ska label Stomp Records also jumped at the chance to include their single “Man Down” on their “All-Skanadian Vol.4” compilation disc.

Lastly, RMRM has also proved to be a sought-after artist for Western Canada's Festival Circuit, appearing at Shambhala, VIC Fest, Calgary Reggae Fest, Kealoha, and of course The Victoria Ska Fest. Let's go ahead and add Rudefest to that list.

facebook.com/rockymountainrebelmusic

Giraffe Aftermath (Vancouver)

Building on the traditions of reggae and dub music, Vancouver's Giraffe Aftermath use hip-hop rhythms and a psychedelic approach to create a unique blend of lively, dance-able music.
Formed in 2006 by Steve Hackenbruch and Luke de Villiers, this songwriting/production duo remains the core of the band's music. Joined on stage by Paul Steffes and a revolving cast of peripheral players, Giraffe Aftermath throw down a foundation of groove and airtight vocal harmonies.

They are also set to take on the west coast of the United States for a Spring Tour, so Rudefest is an opportunity to show them how much they're loved here before they make the journey south.

www.facebook.com/giraffeaftermath

Dope Soda (Nanaimo/Victoria)

Thirsty for music that is both dangerous and danceable, refreshing as a mojito and as eye-opening as a whiskey sour? A cocktail party mix of reggae, punk rock, jazz, hip-hop, and ska? This is Dope Soda.

Dope Soda formed in late 2011, a fresh concoction of six of the top jazz, rock, and Jamaican-music-inspired musicians from Vancouver Island, with membership in acts such as Current Swell, Rocky Mountain Rebel Music, The Bananafish Dance Orchestra, The Kiltlifters, and Kings Without.

The band is led by a three-piece horn section with roots in the highly-regarded Vancouver Island University Jazz Department, buoyed by a funky rhythm section that serves up sips of bubbling Hammonds and Wurlitzers, shots of distorted guitar, and heavy bass... in your face.

Dope Soda jumps back and forth between reggae jams, punk rock assaults, happy ska romps, and hiphop throwdowns--a thirst quencher for audiences who need good rhymes and good times.
So: tip back a cold one, tip back a bold one, tip back a Dope Soda and uplift your rocking, rolling soul.

facebook.com/dopesoda

Sweet Leaf (Victoria)

These cats describe their music as influenced by Ska, Jazz, Reggae, Funk, and party rock. “It’s tough to categorize us,” says vocalist, Chris Jones. With songs that include African beats on the way, Sweet Leaf incorporates a variety of styles. Though many of their songs have a strong ska feel, “You don’t have to be a hardcore ska fan to like us” says Chris.

The band was formed in November of 2011 after Chris responded to an add on Craigslist. Chris was even able to bring up the first e-mail between himself and the band. “these guys put out an add for a ska vocalist and guitarist,” says Chris, and that’s how it all started.

One of the newer bands in Victoria's scene, we're stoked to have 'em on board. Put your dancin' shoes on.

https://www.facebook.com/sweetleafmusic

Jake McFadden (Victoria)

https://www.facebook.com/JakeMcFaddenVic

There also may be some surprises. Stay tuned!

This event is proudly brought to you by The Victoria Ska Society and the UVic Ska and Reggae Club.

Join us Friday March. 8th for The Real Mckenzies St. Paddy's Day Tour and CD release of "Westwinds". Joining them are Vancouver's East End Radicals and Victoria's own garage rock n' roll The Stockers.

The Real Mckenzies are baaaack… Westwinds is packed to the brim with roaring, rollicking and epic tales that shanghai the listener on a thirteen song, sea-tossed journey through the wild and wonderful world of The Real McKenzies. Recorded over several months at Crabapple Downs by the phenomenal Steve Loree, Westwinds is a sonic shot of deliciousness delivered straight to your ear holes. From the unapologetic raised middle figure salute of “Fool’s Road” to the hook-laden tongue-in-cheek “My Luck Is So Bad” to one of the most poignant and blood-pumping renditions of “Barrett’s Privateers (Stan Rogers)” that you’ll ever hear, this killer album is set to become an instant classic in the collections of both new and diehard fans alike. Much like a fine single malt scotch, The Real McKenzies only get better with age .

The East End Radicials recent album "Carry On" captures the passion, intensity and fury of their phenomenal live show experience all wrapped up in this sonically astounding 12 song full length recorded Studio DRX in their hometown of Montreal. Carry On has a distinct classic punk rock flavor for all tastes whether it be fisting pumping anthems like “Call to Arms” and “Carry On”, songs about political corruption like “Firebombs”, Celtic barnstormers like “Shipped Away” or “Last of the Free”, or the quintessential DIY spirit of “Up and Over” and “Where We Stand”.

The Stocker's Victoria's own fueled by booze, cigarettes, hot rods, hot yoga, motorcycles, and rock and roll fire off the night! Get there early as this show will tear you a new asshole! Advance tickets in stores soon and now available on ticketweb.ca . Lucky Bar, 517 Yates Street. Doors at 10pm.

Early bird tickets on sale now on ticketweb.ca, Highlife Records, Beatstreet Records, Redcat and Zulu Records in Vancouver.

The Slackers - Brooklyn's ska/reggae kings return to Vancouver to do an all ages show (with licensed beverage garden) at the Hungarian Hall. This will be the first all ages show since their epic appearance at The Rickshaw Theatre in 2009. The Slackers have become a ska/reggae institution throughout the world and in the 13 years that they've been coming to Vancouver, the ska/reggae massive always is happy to greet them with open arms. No matter what age you are you can come and enjoy this long-awaited all ages extravaganza.

Joining them will be Vancouver's Heads Hang Heavy that play a mixture of reggae, hip hop, funk, rock and ska!

THE SLACKERS VISIT NANAIMO FOR THE 1ST TIME WITH BANANAFISH DANCE ORCHESTRA!

The Slackers have been no strangers to the Island over the past 13 years playing in Victoria dating back to the spring of 2000 at the Victoria Ska Festival and at other events throughout the years. But the band has never played anywhere else on the Island but Victoria.

But that is all going to change on Friday, March 1st, 2013 when Victoria BC Ska Society brings the Slackers to Nanaimo for the first time. They'll be joined by Nanaimo's own Bananafish Dance Orchestra. This will be a late Friday night show at The Queen's!

The Slackers have spreading their gospel of "Jamaican Rock N Roll" for 21 years now. While they have been influenced, and even personally taught by Jamaican ska/reggae originators, like the Skatalites and the Upsetters (Original backing band for the Wailers) they play it with a decidedly American accent. Basically, this band is equally appreciative of old blues, country, 60s soul, rock, and Rnb as it is of reggae, rocksteady, dub, and Ska. It is as if the Rolling Stones or the Yardbirds had grown up on Bob Marley as well as Muddy Waters.

Smashing the stereotypes of "ska" as happy,uptempo, and shallow music, the Slackers play with an aggressive edge and their songs veer in themes from the personal to the political. Back in 1996, the NY Times declared the Slackers to be part of "the sound of New York", a mantle they haven't given up since. Ten years later, Alternative Nation stated that their music is "protest music made for dim, sweaty basements, The Slackers would sound at home supporting Rancid as well as some grizzled New Orleans electric blues trio." The LA Weekly wrote about, "their unfettered energy, unerring skankability, and playful anger."

It's been a couple of years since Brooklyn, New York's The Slackers came to Victoria and celebrated their 20th Anniversary. They're back again (alive after Hurricane Sandy) with their impressive catalog of music from the late 90s to present day. Be excited for the first vinyl pressing of "The Question" in 12 years and expect more music to be unfolded that has been stacked in their music vault in good ol Slackers fashion to be unleashed live and unexpected at this show!

Performing alongside The Slackers will be Victoria's own legendary reggae/punk/ska outfit Hillside Hooligans and Canada's best west coast rocksteady, reggae ska vinyl selectors The Truth Soundsystem!

THE WAILERS & guest ROGER STEFFENS present the Survival Tour of 1979 (Performance and Key Note Address) - SOLD OUT

Friday, February 22nd, 2013 Victoria BC Ska Society and Pepperpot - Victoria's Hypest Caribbean Radio is proud to bring Victoria the band that has been carrying the Bob Marley torch since his untimely death in 1981. The Wailers are a reggae staple for any fan.

The history of the band during Marley’s lifetime is well known. Just to recap, their music has sold in excess of 250 million albums worldwide. In England alone, they’ve notched up over twenty chart hits, including seven Top 10 entries. This was no accident. Apart from Marley, the Wailers have performed with international acts such as Sting, Stevie Wonder, Carlos Santana, as well as reggae legends Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer and Burning Spear. Their most recent collaborators include Kenny Chesney, Eve, Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat. They’ve also completed innumerable tours over the years, playing to an estimated 24 million people across the globe, including groundbreaking performances in Africa and the Far East.

The anchor of the band is Aston “Family Man” Barrett, who in addition to being Marley’s most trusted lieutenant, played on countless other classic reggae hits throughout the seventies. The authenticity he brings to the Wailers’ sound is indisputable and yet today’s line-up combines old school know-how with lead vocals from one of Jamaica’s most exciting new singers.

Joining The Wailers will be Roger Steffens - one of the world's greatest reggae historians. This man has six rooms of his home in Los Angeles dedicated to archives, which include the world's largest collection of Bob Marley material. He will be giving a key-note address about the Survival Tour of 1979. Afterwards the band will perform the Survival album in its entirety.

TEQUILA MOCKINGBIRD ORCHESTRA returns home with special guests High Society!

Thursday, February 7th - Victoria BC Ska Society is proud to present another homecoming of Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra with special funk/soul guests from East Vancouver High Society & singer songwriter Jesse LeBourdais. The show will be a festive affair full of danceable folk, ska, funk, punk and soul!

THE PONDEROSAS VICTORIA DEBUT WITH THE NEW GROOVEMENT (VBCSS Membership Event)

This Victoria BC Ska Society membership event will be our first event of 2013. Those that have current VBCSS Memberships will be admitted into this show.

THE PONDEROSAS (VANCOUVER)

The Ponderosas mix soul, reggae, funk & R&B using a solid rhythm section with beautiful vocal harmonies, brass and percussion. The eight-piece band features the vocal harmonies of singer/songwriters Janette King and Kristie McCracken. The Ponderosas merge diverse cultural backgrounds, individual interests and different musical paths into a sound that is instantly recognizable amid the flurry of sonic flavours in today’s music.

While singing, Janette and Kristie play keyboards and guitar, and are joined by a rhythm section including Ian Cardona on drum kit, Chris Couto on congas/percussion/vocals, Dave Taylor on lead guitar, Jason Smith on bass. The band takes that powerful sound and then kicks it up a level with Kevin Tang on trombone and Lucas Teodoro da Silva on trumpet/vocals.

Ponderosas members regularly collaborate with a diverse group of musicians including Richard Brown, Omar Khan, Natural Flavas, The Boom Booms, Kutapira, Miami Device, Rude City Riot and 11 Hour Orchestra. Members of the band have recorded on albums in genres as diverse as marching band music, salsa, jazz, ska and hip hop.

THE NEW GROOVEMENT (formerly Victoria Dreamteam) - (VICTORIA)

The New Groovement is a high-energy funk band with all the elements to get you dancing! Formerly known as Victoria Dream Team, this 11-member band is taking Victoria by storm. The band is truly local, and is stacked with talented musicians from Camosun College, UVic Music School, Vancouver Island University and others (most of whom were born or raised on Vancouver Island). Known for their massive shows and great parties, they've headlined Fernfest and played numerous venues around Victoria.

The New Groovement employs their trademark formula of infectious grooves, punchy horns, sweet vocals, clever rhymes and tight percussion to get party people moving. The music has been described as James Brown meets Jamiroquai with a dash of soul and a generous helping of hip hop.

DOPE SODA (NANAIMO)

Thirsty for music that is both dangerous and danceable, refreshing as a mojito and as eye-opening as a whiskey sour. A cocktail party mix of reggae, punk rock, jazz, hiphop, and ska. This is Dope Soda.
Dope Soda formed in late 2011, a fresh concoction of six of the top jazz, rock, and Jamaican-music-inspired musicians from Vancouver Island, with membership in acts such as Current Swell, Rocky Mountain Rebel Music, The Bananafish Dance Orchestra, The Kiltlifters, and Kings Without.

Hailing from Cape Coast, Ghana (Africa) Paapa Wastik has had a rich history growing up with music all around him since he was a small child. During his teen years he found Rasta and went on in the early 2000s to create a brand new musical sub genre in Ghana known as "Roots-Life Music", a fusion of reggae, soca, soul, highlife and African classical/traditional music. In 2003 Paapa Wastik was invited to perform at the annual "Panafest", an internationally acclaimed Pan-African Festival. Within the same year the international reggae production group "Greenlion Sounds" teamed up with Paapa Wastik to produce some songs, which was featured on "Greenlion in Ghana" CD mix. Making progressive steps in his talent and music mission, Paapa Wastik crossed over to the United States where he established an independent record label, Asaase Music Foundation.

For the past ten years Paapa Wastik has been traveling in between Ghana, Africa, Jamaica and the United States producing and performing alongside various artists some of which include: Anthony B, Lutan Fyah, Capleton, Tony Rebel, Queen Ifrica, Warrior King and many more.

Notable appearances include Paapa Wastik's headlining appearance at the Northwest Reggae Festival in Eugene, Oregon and another unforgettable appearance at Victoria's 8th Annual Ska Festival at Market Square alongside Mexico's Los Rastrillos, Jamaica's The Itals, The Drastics and the now defunct Arbutus Trio.

Now Paapa Wastik and the African Foundation Band have a new album called "Unity for Africa" His appearance after a five year absence from Canada is in support of this album.

GISTO (also part of Waasabi Collective)

Gisto was the man without a plan and just followed his heart straight to Jamaica as he felt feeling an increasing urge to connect with the music and culture on the Island. Almost upon arrival he met Dre, Zee who was a respected producer in Jamaica. Dre. Zee introduced him to other producers such as Clifton "the specialist" who produced albums for Tony Braxton and Rihanna. His introduction to these producers also led Gisto to meet Lutan Fyah and record some tracks with him while he was in Jamaica. When you take Gisto's already multi-talents that he had as an artist in his own right playing with Waasabi Collective and then you mix it with his passion for dancehall and reggae music you'll get a solid mix. Watch for Gisto's upcoming release that he has been working on for awhile.

NATURAL FLAVAS

NATURAL FLAVAS is an original band while also working as a backing band for touring artists. Under their own name Natural Flavas produces original reggae that parallels the current Jamaican scene while remaining uniquely Canadian. They’ve gained quite a reputation locally , opening for Toots & The Maytals , Inner Circle , The Easy Star All-Stars and emerging Jamaican stars Rootz Underground on their first appearance in Western Canada. As a backing band Natural Flavas have sealed their connection to the roots of reggae over the past few years, backing Jamaican legend Ken Boothe , Tosh1 - youngest son of original Wailer Peter Tosh, and Canadian reggae star Steele. Band Leader/ Singer/ Guitarist , Patrick “Dr.Watson” Quine , has also had the pleasure of playing bass for Jamaican stars Alton Ellis and Half Pint as well as a “who’s who” of artists from Canada’s large Caribbean community. Some of Vancouver’s finest - Allan “Double Down” Ollivierre (Keys) , Jonny “Jon Boops” Holisko (Drums) and J.C. “Coop” Thompson (Bass) round out the core of a line up that ranges from 4-8 people depending on the size of the stage. The future looks bright for Natural Flavas, who are set to release their first full length album ! As we say “No artificial additives - 100% Natural Flavas.” !!

Listen to Pepperpot - Victoria's Hypest Caribbean Radio every Saturday from 6-7pm on CFUV 101.9FM or CFUV.UVIC.CA to hear the music from these artists and for chances to win tickets!

Friday, November 23 @ Swan's Nightclub (downstairs from Swan's Pub) - Pepperpot Victoria's Hypest Caribbean Radio and Victoria BC Ska Society are teaming up Victoria a likkle bit of conscious dancehall, roots reggae and ska all on one show (just like we LOVE it)! It's been too long since we've had a dancehall/conscious reggae party and we thought the end of November would be the perfect time to host one in our hype new venue downstairs at Swan's (formerly Neptune Sound Bar).

PAAPA WASTIK & AFRICAN FOUNDATION BAND
(Cape Coast, Ghana)

Hailing from Cape Coast, Ghana (Africa) Paapa Wastik has had a rich history growing up with music all around him since he was a small child. During his teen years he found Rasta and went on in the early 2000s to create a brand new musical sub genre in Ghana known as "Roots-Life Music", a fusion of reggae, soca, soul, highlife and African classical/traditional music. In 2003 Paapa Wastik was invited to perform at the annual "Panafest", an internationally acclaimed Pan-African Festival. Within the same year the international reggae production group "Greenlion Sounds" teamed up with Paapa Wastik to produce some songs, which was featured on "Greenlion in Ghana" CD mix. Making progressive steps in his talent and music mission, Paapa Wastik crossed over to the United States where he established an independent record label, Asaase Music Foundation.

For the past ten years Paapa Wastik has been traveling in between Ghana, Africa, Jamaica and the United States producing and performing alongside various artists some of which include: Anthony B, Lutan Fyah, Capleton, Tony Rebel, Queen Ifrica, Warrior King and many more.

Notable appearances include Paapa Wastik's headlining appearance at the Northwest Reggae Festival in Eugene, Oregon and another unforgettable appearance at Victoria's 8th Annual Ska Festival at Market Square alongside Mexico's Los Rastrillos, Jamaica's The Itals, The Drastics and the now defunct Arbutus Trio.

Now Paapa Wastik and the African Foundation Band have a new album called "Unity for Africa" His appearance after a five year absence from Canada is in support of this album.

GIRAFFE AFTERMATH
(Vancouver BC)

We all know Giraffe Aftermath is awesome. As one of Victoria's favourite reggae bands from Vancouver we're extremely happy to have them back after their last appearance in Victoria at the Victoria Ska Festival when they played alongside Leroy 'Heptone' Sibbles and Katchafire.

BLACKWOOD KINGS
(Victoria BC)

As we've said before, Blackwood Kings bring straight up ska and reggae to any show they're playing on. Blackwood Kings have been performing throughout Victoria with various local bands. Michael Luis - drummer of the band is also the leader of UVIC's ska/reggae club that is just getting off the ground.

BANANAFISH DANCE ORCHESTRA'S ALBUM RELEASE

Friday, November 9, 2012 Victoria BC Ska Society is proud to bring you another all Island groove session with three bands that cover everything from West African rhythms to Latin/jazz, ska, reggae, funk and a bit of rock.

This show is in honour of Bananafish Dance Orchestra's brand new full length album. Bananafish Dance Orchestra (based in Nanaimo) have continued to gain success on and off the Island over the past three years. The band has played at several major festivals including Kaslo Jazz Festival, Vancouver Island Music Fest, Victoria Jazz Fest and ofcourse the Victoria Ska Festival where they had the honour of supporting Toots and the Maytals on the Ska Fest's Kick Off show! The energy the band brings to the people is undeniable so there's a good chance you'll be drenched with sweat after seeing them.

Supporting Bananafish Dance Orchestra is Victoria based Kikeyambay. Kikeyambay was born out of a collaboration between the band's leader Alseny Diallo's deep knowledge of Guinean modern and traditional music, and the passion of Victoria's Dancing Moon Multicultural Arts Company director, Ilana Moon. Kikeyambay brings a dynamic, energetic traditional West African drum and dance show and a Electric Afrofusion Orchestra.

Sweet Leaf are Victoria's newest ska band on the scene. Led by Chris Jones of Crude Cultura fame Sweet Leaf bring quicker offbeats and music to sweat to. For this show the band will be presenting some fresh material and a couple new members.

In case you haven't heard the good news, on September 12th the first ska and reggae club in the history of the University of Victoria was born! Now with more than 100 members already signed up, a kick-off party is in order.

As a part of Felicita's Free Island Band Mondays, the UVic Ska and Reggae club is proud to bring you a free show featuring some of the best music in the local scene.

Everybody Left play a Left Coast/Dirty Pop with a reluctant Reggae/Post-Ska/Bluesy sound. Their ongoing mission: to bo
ldly and successfully venture into the new music frontier of the 21st century. Although they've put their band on the back burner for the time being they're just resting... ready to lay it down for their fans once again. Everybody Left have played at different events such as V.I.C Fest and Victoria Ska Festival. Their music is known outside ska/reggae circles as their hit "Down for the Ride" continues to enjoy heavy rotation on radio stations such as The Zone @ 91.3FM.

Support for the show will be provided by Banyan Tree and Blackwood Kings.

KYPRIOS AND THE CHAPERONES MEET ROCKY MOUNTAIN REBEL MUSIC FOR A HALLOWEEN (INVENT YOUR OWN SUPER HERO) RAGER!

On Halloween Weekend (Saturday, October 27th at Sopranos Bar and Grill in Victoria) Victoria BC Ska Society is howling to bring you a very special event that acknowledges the saturation of super heroes in our lives these days. At every turn we see super heroes in our entertainment media. Whether it's Batman, Superman, The Avengers or any other super heroes come back round to save us it's in your face! So we thought it would only be appropriate to have a "Invent your own Super Hero" themed show for our Halloween Rager Saturday, October 27th at Sopranos Bar & Grill. Many people have their own heroes and they don't have to be the ones we read about in comic books or watch in movies. Be inventive with this because the sky is the limit!

To celebrate the Island Massive's main Halloween event we have brought together two bands that compliment each other in the best way possible. For the first time ever one of Vancouver's most celebrated bands Kyprios and the Chaperones will co-headline this unforgettable event with Victoria's heroes of funk, ska and reggae Rocky Mountain Rebel Music.

There are many reasons why we say the Kyprios and the Chaperones are one of Vancouver's most celebrated bands. Kyrpios, the band's leader draws heavily from spoken word but is also one of the city's most talented "rappers"

He spent time in New York after road tripping with Prevail from Swollen Members. There he participated in numerous rap battles both in the cafes and on the streets of NYC. During this time he also founded and was the leader of Sweatshop Union - a popular conscious Vancouver hip hop group. Kyprios continued his solo career and worked with Sweatshop Union at the same time touring throughout North America. His hard work resulted in him winning 1st prize ($100,500) in the popular Peak Performance Project and getting signed to Sony Music Canada. After Sony merged to BMI Kyprios continued to persist with his music career. Notably Kyprios made headlines again in 2011 when the Vancouver Canucks went to the Stanley Cup finals. His rally song, "How the West was Won" was played in pubs and bars all over the city and could be heard on every news media and most importantly at the Canucks games.

Kyprios has accomplished all of the above in addition to touring with the likes of The Black Eyed Peas, Busta Rhymes, Wyclef Jean, The Roots, Rakim, Living Legends, Swollen Members and Jurassic Five. And NOW Kyprios and the Chaperones are going to come to Victoria to share their music, knowledge and all round good energy with Victoria's own Rocky Mountain Rebel Music.

RockY Mountain Rebel Music continues to increase their profile in Canada's music scene making key appearances and tours throughout the spring and summer. RMRM fans won't forget their performances opening from New Zealand's reggae/soul/funk juggernautsThe Black Seeds. And this summer the band completed another Western Canadian tour that saw them perform on three major festivals: Victoria Ska Festival; Shambhala and The Big Time Out. This Island 9-piece outfit blends reggae, rock, funk, dub, dancehall, punk, and world rhythms into a sweat soaking experience you'll want to have over and over again (after you've had a shower and some sleep).

In sum it's a party of epic proportions where the funk, reggae and ska meet hip hop, soul, jazz and more funk!

The Victoria BC Ska Society is pleased to announce an exciting combination of Island artists that will bring a high level of musicianship and a beautiful blend of musical styles onto one stage. Saturday, October 20, 2012 at Alix Goolden Hall in Victoria BC, Shane Philip, Marc Atkinson Trio and special guest Daniel Lapp will converge, performing pieces from their respective albums and collaborating throughout the evening.

Shane Philip's last appearance in Victoria was at the Victoria Event Centre in January 2012 when he co-headlined with the Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra. Since then Shane Philip has toured the country once again hitting major festivals this summer. In addition to appearances at Shambahala and performing as direct support to Toots and the Maytals at the Commodore, by the time this concert takes place Philip will have already finished an Ecuadorian tour with Global Electronic Roots artist and producer Adham Shaikh. His anticipated appearance with Marc Atkinson will reunite them once again since their only other performance together at the Victoria Ska Festival in 2011 as the Shane Philip Tree.

Marc Atkinson Trio is musical wonder from the “Marc Atkinson Music” empire that includes “The Quartet,” “Caravan” and the internationally acclaimed roots band The Bills that recently released their fourth album. As one of Canada's most talented guitarists, Atkinson takes guitar beyond the usual repertoire and sound. The tunes have a fiery but elegant guitar style, infused with a catchy blend of influences. His music is described as original, complex and challenging in its conception and delivery but remains accessible and absorbing. The music of the Marc Atkinson Trio good-naturedly welcomes all listeners aboard for an intriguing, exhilarating and unforgettable ride.

Daniel Lapp's career has gone through many evolutions. From his tour stint with Spirit of the West to more recent projects with Daniel Lapp Quartet and Lappelectro that dabble in jazz, electronica and R&B, Lapp will give fans some of his Lappland musical power appearing with Shane Philip and/or Marc Atkinson on selected pieces throughout the evening.

With all of these musicians residing in Victoria or other parts of Vancouver Island/Gulf Islands, together these three premier acts will provide a full evening of entertainment that will be remembered for years to come.

www.shanephilip.com
www.marcatkinson.com
www.daniellapp.com

SKA FALL CLASSIC 2012 BRINGS LESS THAN JAKE AND REEL BIG FISH TO THE ISLAND FOR THE FIRST TIME!

Victoria BC Ska Society is proud to bring a fall party of epic proportions to the Island and Canada's westcoast when we host SKA FALL CLASSIC 2012 Wednesday, October 17, 2012 at Club 9ONE9!

LESS THAN JAKE and Reel Big Fish have both been third wave ska's main institutions over the past 20 years. LTJ first formed as a power pop trio with heavy punk influences into a ska inspired punk band and a with sense of humour that is still present today. Twenty years after initial meetings and pawn shop instrument purchases for new members, Less than Jake is releasing their eighth album titled Greetings and Salutations. The album will drop on October 12, 2012 (five days before this show).

REEL BIG FISH have been around for an equal amount of time as Less than Jake. Hailing from Huntington Beach, Calfornia the band have been through various members and Warped Tours. But the main thing is they're still playing and skanking hard like they did when they started back in the early 90s. This July 2012 the band released their newest album titled Candy Coated Fury which will be featured at The Ska Fall Classic - Wednesday, October 17th at Club 9ONE9!

Rounding out this incredible triple ska bill will be Flatfoot 56 that playing a positive-natured brand of hardcore-tinged Celtic punk.

Get your early bird ticket available online now at ticketweb.ca and in stores Saturday August.25th at Ditch records, Lyle's Place and BC Smoke Shop.

Riding the wave after an unforgettable summer of ska, Victoria BC Ska Society (VBCSS) is proud to bring the people the 1st Member Party of the fall with a jam packed bill of music. Winnipeg is visiting our humble headquarters at the Hidden Gem featuring three exciting acts.

The first is Winnipeg's The Noble Thiefs who blend 70s punk, soul, reggae and ska into a musical trip that make ask when they'll be returning. From humble beginnings with aspirations no greater than playing to a room full of people in a friend’s basement, the band is now packing venues throughout Winnipeg, Montreal and Toronto. This show at the Hidden Gem is only the beginning of what we're confident will be a continuous musical affair.

Greg Rekus (known to the Noble Thiefs) is a punk entertainer genius also from Winnipeg. He has played at the Hidden Gem before and is excited to come back. Fans of High Five Drive will remember Greg Rekus.

Victoria's own The Blackwood Kings bring straight up ska and reggae vibes to this show. Blackwood Kings have been performing throughout Victoria with various local bands. Michael Luis - drummer of the band is also the leader of UVIC's ska/reggae club that is just getting off the ground. When you go to the party ask him about that club.

Finally Mise En Scene (tour mates of The Noble Thiefs) will round out the evening of music. Mise En Scene is influenced by 60s sou and bands such as the Clash, Neko Case, and Leonard Cohen.

DUB FX and his partner in (spreading) love FLOWER FAIRY are a dynamic duo that are blending sweet melodies perfect for dub, reggae, drum n' bass, hip hop and dancehall accapela. Those same sweet melodies are then added to using DUB FX's main artillery : a Boss RC-50 Loop Station along with a GT-10 effects pedal to create vocal-only beats, and then sings & raps over the top.

The end result is intelligent lyrics layered with sweet melodies, harmonies and phat bass lines. Overall the music is infused with drum and bass, hip-hop and dub step influences and has the power to turn heads of all backgrounds across the world with his prolific street based performances.

After having built up a solid fan-base, he has released several records, including a solo album, Everythinks a Ripple, and many collaborative works. He still travels the world, and seems set to bring looper pedals some much deserved attention from across the genres.

This tour is the largest Canadian one to date and Victoria BC Ska Society is estatic to be a part of it!

Hurry and buy tickets before they're sold out! Tickets under $20 to start ($15-$16 early bird). Available at ticketweb.ca and Garibaldi Lift and Co Friday, August 3rd!

The Return of the Melvins!

Victoria BC Ska Society is pleased to announce the return of Melvins LITE. On tour in support of FREAK PUKE - the new Melvins LITE album from Ipecac Recordings. Melvins Lite is an additional incarnation of the Melvins. The line-up is Buzz Osborne, Dale Crover and Trevor Dunn (Mr. Bungle, Fantomas & Tomahawk). Formed in 1983 “The Melvins have a long history of mixing up their line-ups and I think that’s what has kept them relevant for so long,” explains Buzz. “Consider the Freak Puke record the fifth side of the four-sided Melvins triangle." "We had seen Trevor playing upright bass in a jazz setting and thought that we could utilize that for a recording project," explained Crover. "This is something different from the two drummer/big hair line-up, which they plan on continuing with as well." For a limited time you can stream the entire album at Spinner. http://www.melvins.com/ https://www.facebook.com/melvinsarmy?ref=ts http://www.themelvins.net/ http://www.myspace.com/themelvins Opening guests RETOX

Retox was birthed in Southern California, specifically in San Diego and Los Angeles during the later part of 2010. The members; Brian Evans on drums, Thor Dickey on bass, Michael Crain on guitar, and vocalist Justin Pearson. Retox has been described as punk, post-punk, hardcore, metal, and even power violence. But anybody whose ears are not completely damaged by way of decibel pressure or contemporary media will agree that Retox is carving out a unique sound. The best possible description would be sci-fi/surf/punk. The songs are fast tempered clocking in somewhere between one and two minutes. The guitar’s harmony and disharmony battle each other, engaged in an endless standoff. Interwoven throughout the timbre is a driving bass acting as a referee for the rest of the instruments. Propelling the songs are drumbeats chopped up with surgical precision and stamina. The vocals are littered with subtle hooks as well as not so subtle irritation, influenced by political disdain, horror, and sarcasm. The band's inspiration is drawn from both horrific misfortune and sheer imagination. Either way this is good news for the listener.
https://www.facebook.com/RETOXRULES

By the time this show comes around we are going to have a lot of happy skanksters in Victoria! Saturday, July 14, 2012 Victoria BC Ska Society proudly presents KATCHAFIRE from Hamilton New Zealand with special guests LEROY HEPTONE SIBBLES and Vancouver's own GIRAFFE AFTERMATH.

After KATCHAFIRE appeared at Victoria's 11th Annual Ska Festival back in 2010 the band has grown irresistably on the Island ska/reggae massive. Katchafire are one of New Zealand's greatest reggae bands.

Katchafire are an all Maori reggae band from Hamilton, who have achieved phenomenal success over the last few years. Their debut album, the prophetically named Revival release by Mai Music, has sold in excess of 45,000 copies with Giddy Up being the biggest selling single of 2003. 2004’s follow up, Slow Burning, was similarly well received, selling 20,000 copies in the first week of release.

LEROY "HEPTONE" SIBBLES is a living legend whose has brought more to ska/rocksteady/reggae than many artists have done in a lifetime.

He was the lead singer for The Heptones in the 1960s and 1970s. For this performance he will be backed by Vancouver's Natural Flavas.

In addition to his work with The Heptones, Sibbles was a session bassist and arranger at Clement 'Coxsone' Dodd's Jamaica Recording and Publishing Studio and the associated Studio One label during the prolific late 1960s, and was described as "the greatest all-round talent in reggae history" by Kevin O'Brien Chang and Wayne Chen in their 1998 book Reggae Routes.[1]

Leroy Heptone Sibbles will be giving an exclusive key-note address at the Victoria Ska Festival. Times are TBA. Please log on to www.victoriaskafest.ca for updates.

Vancouver's Giraffe Aftermath are impressing audiences throughout BC with their unique style that pleases reggae fans that enjoy both classic and more contemporary reggae styles. Giraffe Aftermath will be making their 2nd straight appearance on the festival. The band has also played alongside names such as Katchafire, John Brown's Body and Shane Philip.

This show is ALL AGES w/licensed beverage garden for those 19rs+

Food Concession and Merchandise Tents on site

Doors: 4:30pm sharp!

PURCHASE OF THIS SHOW IS AVAILABLE THROUGH PURCHASING A FULL FESTIVAL PASS AT LYLE'S PLACE, DITCH RECORDS OR THE REEF IN VICTORIA BC. FULL FESTIVAL PASSES ALSO AVAILABLE & VIA WWW.VICTORIASKAFEST.CA

Vancouver THE BOOM BOOMS play a dangerous mix of Latin, funk, and reggae that sets the dancefloor on fire wherever they play. The group draws influence from artists such as Buena Vista Social Club, Gregory Isaacs, and Manu Chao. Their song "Delivered" earned them the award for Best Roots Song at the Just Plain Folks Music Awards.
www.theboombooms.com/

Explosive, dynamic, and original, MINDIL BEACH MARKETS has discovered a blistering fusion of Rock, Reggae, Hip Hop, Folk, Funk, and Blues that is entirely their own. Their songs will leave you awash in sentiments ranging from love of the planet, to love of a party.
www.mindilbeachmarkets.com/

DJ SU COMANDANTE has evolved to be one of Victoria's most diverse DJs spinning a variety of reggae, dancehall, Latin and reggaeton (reggae infused with Latin influences). His music also mirrors his beliefs in revolution and social justice. Coming from Guatemala his Latin influences give a distintive uniqueness to his mixes.

VICTORIA'S 13th ANNUAL SKA FESTIVAL WORKSHOP: Reggae Hit Bass Lines

Leroy "Heptone" Sibbles is the man behind many of reggae music’s most famous bass lines and classics, and we are honoured to be playimng this year's festival and graciously hosting this workshop.

Leroy Sibbles is widely known for his work as the lead singer of the Rock Steady group The Heptones and as a solo artist. However, many people are not aware of the huge influence Mr. Sibbles has had on all reggae music as the Studio One Bass player, arranger and A&R rep during the late 60’s and early 70’s. During his time in this role he was responsible for many of the classic reggae bass lines that have been and continue to be used by new artists over and over again.

During his keynote interactive session Leroy will discuss how he created the bass lines and arrangements for songs like "Satta Massagan" , "Declaration Of Rights", "Kutchie" (Pass The Dutchie) , "Queen Of The Minstrels" , "No Man Is An Island" and "Drifter."

He will also discuss how he auditioned artists like Burning Spear, Dennis Brown and provided bass lines for artists like John Holt, Horace Andy, Alton Ellis just to name a few.

If you are a true lover of the history of reggae music, this is a session you won’t want to miss.

VICTORIA'S 13TH ANNUAL SKA FESTIVAL Day 4: THE PIETASTERS! (Exclusive Canadian date for The Pietasters)

Friday, July 13, 2012 Victoria BC Ska Society proudly presents THE PIETASTERS from Washington D.C with special guests LARRY & HIS FLASK, Vancouver's own LOS FURIOS and Victoria's own STEP BACK DAVE!

THE PIETASTERS' slogan NEVER SOULED OUT is nice tongue and cheek but rings true. The Pietasters have stayed true to the spirit of ska music keeping a full 8 piece band alive through good and bad times in the world of ska music. The Pietasters' first break came early when they landed a 1992 tour opening for Bad Manners. In 1997, Rancid’s Tim Armstrong signed them to Hellcat/Epitaph where they recorded two albums with producer Brett Gurewitz (Bad Religion): Willis and Awesome Mix Tape #6. The soul-charged Turbo was released in 2002 by Fueled by Ramen. The Pietasters shared bills with NOFX and Less Than Jake on the epic ’98 and ’99 Warped Tours, and followed with a stateside run with punk legend Joe Strummer. Three years later, they worked as James Brown’s back-up band for one surreal evening.

This is the second appearance for The Pietasters since they headlined at Victoria's 3rd Annual Ska Fest ten years ago. We're happy we're still standing stronger than we were when they performed for us so long ago.

LARRY & HIS FLASK: Formed by brothers Jamin and Jesse Marshall in 2003, "the Flask" spent its first half-decade stuck in a primordial, punk-rock goop, where a blood-sweat-and-beers live show took priority over things like notes and melodies. But by 2009, Larry and His Flask’s train began gaining steam. The band’s new songs are a blurry blend of lightning fast string-band picking, gorgeous nods to old-school country, and sublime multi-part harmonies, all presented through a prism of punk chaos. The boys have grown and changed, yes, but their shows are still gloriously physical displays of live music’s sheer power. In other words, keep your eyes peeled, or risk taking the heavy end of Jesse Marshall’s flailing, stand-up bass right between the eyes.

LOS FURIOS are Vancouver's kings of ska and through some slight line-up changes and a few Mexican tours later the band continues to tear up the scene in Vancouver and surrounding areas. This will be the band's fourth appearance on Ska Fest in its 13-year history. Notably Los Furios has played alongside ska/reggae heavyweights such as Fishbone, Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, Long Beach Shortbus,Inspector and The Black Seeds.

STEP BACK DAVE bring an honest and ambitious voice to the Island's Ska/Reggae influenced scene. Nick Taylor, Dan Turgeon and Ethan Horgan have been gaining noteriety throughout Victoria and the Gulf Islands the past three years. The band recently played on infamous Tribute to Sublime Island Style tour and have also played alongside Island mates Brave New Waves and Bananafish Dance Orchestra.

This show is ALL AGES w/licensed beverage garden for those 19rs+

Food Concession and Merchandise Tents on site

Doors: 5pm sharp!

FULL FESTIVAL PASSES AT LYLE'S PLACE, DITCH RECORDS OR THE REEF IN VICTORIA BC. FULL FESTIVAL PASSES ALSO AVAILABLE & VIA WWW.VICTORIASKAFEST.CA

Thirsty for music that is both dangerous and danceable, refreshing as a mojito and as eye-opening as a whiskey sour. A cocktail party mix of reggae, punk rock, jazz, hiphop, and ska. This is Dope Soda.
Dope Soda formed in late 2011, a fresh concoction of six of the top jazz, rock, and Jamaican-music-inspired musicians from Vancouver Island, with membership in acts such as Current Swell, Rocky Mountain Rebel Music, The Bananafish Dance Orchestra, The Kiltlifters, and Kings Without.

The band is led by a three-piece horn section with roots in the highly-regarded Vancouver Island University Jazz Department, buoyed by a funky rhythm section that serves up sips of bubbling Hammonds and Wurlitzers, shots of distorted guitar, and heavy bass--in your face. Dope Soda jumps back and forth between reggae jams, punk rock assaults, happy ska romps, and hiphop throwdowns--a thirst quencher for audiences who need good rhymes and good times.

HEADS HANG HEAVY

While their sound is strongly rooted in Jamaican musical styles such as Reggae, Ska and Dancehall, HEADS HANG HEAVY also draw ideas from other forms of dance music including Disco, Hip-hop, Funk and Rock. With musical tastes that are wide and far-reaching, their collective goal has always been to bring these divergent styles together under the banner of strong song-writing and infectious musical performances. HHH strive to bring an intelligent and conscious positivity to their lyrics while expressing the unique west coast culture of British Columbia.

LA POBRESKA hail from LA and play a blazing mix of hardcore punk and 3rd-wave ska. They’re one part Death by Stereo and one part Voodoo Glow Skulls. Their hard and gritty sound is defined by life on the street, politics, and family. They’ve been around since 2004 and are currently recording a new album. This will be one of the best shows at the festival and will have you moshing and skanking in seconds flat!
www.myspace.com/lapobreska

RUDE CITY RIOT are Vancouver’s own power-ska ensemble are a force unlike any other. They’ve recently completed a Canadian tour with The Planet Smashers and The Real McKenzies and have previously performed with acts like The Slackers and The Creepshow. They stand out as one of the regions best ska and rock acts and leave the crowds screaming for more.
www.myspace.com/rudecityriot

It’s been a long time, but the MAD BOMBER SOCIETY is back for another round! Their mix of punk and two-tone madness have been on stage with acts like Fishbone, Long Beach Shortbus, and The Gamblers. They also share members with Rude City Riot and have previously been involved with The Skatomatics and Wednesday Night Heroes. Those looking for a party look no further.
www.myspace.com/madbombersociety

Adham Shaikh is a Juno Award-nominated music producer, composer, and DJ who brings his uniquely powerful global sounds to the world stage and screen, not to mention many a crowded dance floor.

Music labels from around the globe have released his music, including Interchill, Dakini Records, Electronic Soundscapes, Liquid Sound Design, Native State, One World Music, Water Music, Nia, Sounds True, Stoned Asia, and the infamous Six Degrees. Recently, Shaikh co-produced and mixed the award-winning debut CD for global fusion group Delhi 2 Dublin, and has finished re-mixing tracks for internationally renowned world fusion artists Nickodemus, Deya Dova, Kaya Project, Tripswitch and David Starfire. Shaikh has most recently completed remixes for Stephen Kent, Omar Faruk Tekbilek , Issa Bagayogo , Ganga Giri , and the Footsteps in Africa Project (Turag remix)

Shaikh’s work as both a live performer and a DJ has taken him to international events including the Waveform Festival (UK), Samothraki Dance Festival (Greece), Dakini Nights (Tokyo), Luminate (New Zealand), The Maori Peace Festival at Parihaka (New Zealand), and Boom Festival (Portugal).

While SOLA ROSA's first three albums undoubtedly cast Spraggon as one of New Zealand’s finest purveyors of downbeat-electronica – something that was backed up by a raft of accolades including a NZ Music Award for 2001’s Solarized, and b-net awards for 2000’s Entrance To Skyway and 2003’s Haunted Out-takes – his fourth long player, 2005s Moves On, saw a change in tact. Not content to simply stay within the bounds of any one genre, Spraggon expanded the Sola Rosa sound, incorporating more live instrumentation and adding a healthy dollop of funk, soul and reggae to an already considerable list influences. The new direction not only reinvigorated the Rosa sound, but earned Spraggon another nomination for Best Dance/Electronic album at the 2006 NZ Music Awards.

Spraggon’s latest album, Get It Together, which has so successfully captured the breadth of his vision and piqued the most interest from record labels, artists and fans the world over. Like its predecessor, Moves On, Get It Together builds on a more performance based template than Sola Rosa’ early work, featuring a full band.

This workshop features the The Pietasters Horn Section: Alan Makranczy, Jeremy Roberts and Carlos Linares

Since the early 1960s with the birth of ska music in Jamaica horns have always been key instruments in what many people recognize as the definitive signature of the genre.

Traditionally ska bands have always had horns as a part of their arrangements even though the guitar took a greater role in many bands' sound in the second and third waves of ska. This is not the case when one looks at cousin genres rooted in ska, such as rocksteady and reggae, although these genres also use horns.

The Pietasters Horn Section will address the origins and influences of ska as a base going back to Cuban music, American jazz and mento. They will talk about contributing factors as to why horn sections were so predominant in the early wave of ska music and how the role of horns is still so important in identifying the ska genre today.

Adham Shaikh is a Juno Award-nominated music producer, composer, sound designer, and DJ who brings his uniquely powerful global sounds to the world stage and screen, not to mention many a crowded dance floor.

One of Adham's greatest talents is his ability to use sounds and visuals within his global electronic repertoire to evoke certain emotions from the audience and get important points across through his set.

The idea for this workshop was planted after Adham Shaikh performed a song at a show in Nanaimo that was used to address the crisis of water. His music, visuals and the costumes of his dancer during the set vividly conveyed the crisis. This song was just one of many that used visuals, music and dance to convey various themes.

In this workshop Adham will touch on some of these techniques when selecting to bring each idea to the forefront. He may also talk about what influences him to use music to inspire social change and why his shows leave such a lasting impression on the audience.

VICTORIA'S 13TH ANNUAL SKA FESTIVAL Day 3: Free for All!

Fun, sun, good vibes, great bands, and all the dancing you can handle ... and all for the low, low price of FREE!

Featuring: Blitz the Ambassador, Rocky Mountain Rebel Music, Bachaco

Free show, all ages, and beer garden for those 19+

BLITZ THE AMBASSADOR: Though currently based out of Brooklyn, this Ghanaian hip-hop artist has been pushing musical boundaries all over the globe. in 2000 he received the award for best new artist at the Ghana Music Awards. In 2001 he moved to the the USA to attend university. He became noticed as an incredible artist, even opening for Rakim, and has been developing and honing his craft ever since.
www.myspace.com/blitztheambassador

Standing as a festival favourite, RMRM are back for another round! After blowing the crowd away last year,and playing alongside Ky-Mani Marley and Gramps Morgan, Victoria’s top reggae, roots, and world music musicians are taking it to the next level. They are one of the liveliest touring acts today and have begun garnering attention across Canada. Come check them and out and they’ll have you singing in no time!
www.myspace.com/rockymountainrebelmusic

Florida’s BACHACO are a smooth mix of reggae, Cumbia, and funk. Their unique sound and performance appeals to audiences of all ages and backgrounds. The band’s multicultural heritage shows. with lyrics in English, Spanish and Jamaican Patwa, Bachaco is a true multi-cultural experience. Bachaco’s music is sure to have you moving and grooving in no time.
www.myspace.com/bachacomusic

KATCHAFIRE is back by popular demand after their first appearance in Vancouver and at Victoria's 11th Annual Ska Festival back in 2010.

Reggae is one of the bloodlines of New Zealand music - which accounts for the extraordinary success of Hamilton’s Katchafire who, several years ago, emerged as the hardest working band in the country.

Experience the unique sound from a unique band, a soulful taste of reggae that soothes, kiwi driven roots flavor added with subtleties of the group’s musical influences. Katchafire continues to reach beyond their boundaries to audiences, cultures and listeners everywhere.

Special Guest: Straignt outta East LA! With their Big Boss sound, The Delirians have already made a name for themselves gaining much attention locally as well as Internationally Playing alongside bands such as The Skatalites, Derrick Harriot, The Slackers,The Toasters,Lets Go Bowling, Easy Star All stars and Bad Manners to name a few.

The Delirians play a blend of reggae, ska, and funky soul to bring you a one of a kind, original yet familiar sound that is altogether fire for your heart, and ice for your soul.

Ska Fest doesn't stop after the Ship Point show, and neither should you! Clamber up from the harbour and head your way toward Club 9ONE9 for a night, of punk, hip-hop, reggae and of course a whole lot more ska!

VICTORIA'S 13TH ANNUAL SKA FESTIVAL Day 2: Free for All!

Though the TEQUILA MOCKINGBIRD ORCHESTRA now resides in Toronto, these guys still hold on to their unique Vancouver Island roots. Their unique blend of both Western and European folk music along with elements of reggae have earned them fans across Canada and the globe. They’ve performed with Los Rastrillos, C.R. Avery, and Shane Philip. Though they’ve moved on to bigger things, they always stay true to their roots.
http://www.tequilamockingbird.com/

Vancouver's BLACKBERRY WOOD plays a dynamic mix of country, folk, and world roots music. Blackberry Wood powers down the road like a caravan, with all kinds of wondrous instruments, vocal melodies and fantastically costumed characters. Playing over 300 shows since 2006, Blackberry Wood has kicked up dust in towns all over Western Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States.
http://www.myspace/blackberrywood

NATURAL FLAVAS are one of Vancouver's finest purveyors of roots and reggae music. They have had the pleasure of backing up Tosh1 (son of Peter Tosh) and Errol Blackwood of Messenjah on live performances. Last year they played back-up for rocksteady king Ken Boothe as well as Kae Sun at the festival and blew the crowd away. They have also performed along-side well-known reggae groups Inner Circle and Easy Star All-stars. Those in need of a reggae shakedown look no further.
www.myspace.com/naturalflavasreggae

This is CLINTON FEARON AND THE BOOGIE BROWN BAND's first show in Victoria in more than 5 years, and it is a return that the VBCSS and reggae fans across the Island have been eagerly anticipating.

With a career that spans across more than four decades, Clinton Fearon is one of the most influential and widely respected reggae musicians still producing and touring. Since 1987 Fearon has lived and worked out of Seattle, but spent most of his life living in Jamaica, and it is here that he has his roots and where he honed his unique style.

Fearon is still not only recording but actively recording and producing music, with his most recent album, Heart and Soul, released earlier this year. The album features new material along with reworkings of songs he wrote during his time with The Gladiators— a famous Jamaican reggae band from the 1970s.

Fearon has played and headlined many major international festivals including the Reggae Rising Festival, Bumbershoot, Sierra Nevada Festival, Lafayette Jazz Festival, American Folk Festival, Lowell Folk Festival, and now the Victoria Ska Festival!

DANNY REBEL & THE KGB are one of Canada’s most exciting acts today. They have performed all over the country including Sled Island, Stampede, the Montreal International Reggae Festival, and both the Victoria and Montreal ska Festivals. They’ve played alongside The Planet Smashers, Fishbone, The Slackers, and many more! Their unique blend of reggae, ska, and soul have earned them fans from far and wide. They’re back again and ready for a party!
www.myspace.com/dannyrebel

TUFF JELLY are described as “Rude raw reggae” and are one of the newer artists to emerge from Vancouver Island’s magnificent ska and reggae scene. They’ve performed alongside island favourites like Mindil Beach Markets and Brave New Waves as well as Montreal rocksteady kings The Beatdown and Canadian ska giant Chris Murray. Their sound is a blend of reggae, hip-hop, and ska. Rockas beware, Tuff Jelly is the toughest fish in the sea!
www.myspace.com/tuffjelly

Tuesday, July 10, 2012 VICTORIA'S 13TH ANNUAL SKA FESTIVAL in the finest fashion with a performance that festival fans and organizers have been yearning for many years.

We are proud to announce that the legendary TOOTS AND THE MAYTALS will kick off the festival with his own brand of ska/reggae/soul at Ship Point Inner Harbour.

It's been 12 long years since Toots and the Maytals have blessed this Island with their presence at one unforgettable performance at Market Square. Now several albums and hundreds of performances later we are pleased to have him make this historic return at Ship Point Inner Harbour.

Toots and the Maytals is known as the king of ska/reggae/soul by people all over the world. Timeless songs such as "54-46", "Sweet and Dandy" , "Time Tough", and "Country Roads"have become anthems in their own right. And to add to that collection of songs Toots has continued to make new albums and collaborate with many artists that cross other genres in country, hip hop folk and more.

True Love released in 2004 was one of his most celebrated albums in the past ten years. It features past Victoria Ska Festival artists such as The Skatalites, Easy Star All Stars, and Ken Boothe. But the range he covers in his collaborations on the album are staggering. Other legendary artists on the album include: Manu Chao, Eric Clapton, No Doubt, Bootsy Collins, Bonnie Raitt, Willie Nelson, The Roots and so much more. Toots and the Maytals' most recent album is called Flip and Twistreleased in 2010.

The roots of the genre are as strong as ever, and their dedication to the craft is testament to this. Our festival would not be where it is today without the amazing talent of this group and their performance will surely be once in a lifetime experience.

Joining Toots and the Maytals is THE DELIRIANS straight outta East LA! With their Big Boss sound, The Delirians have already made a name for themselves gaining much attention locally as well as Internationally Playing alongside bands such as The Skatalites, Derrick Harriot, The Slackers,The Toasters,Lets Go Bowling, Easy Star All stars and Bad Manners to name a few. The Delirians play a blend of reggae, ska, and funky soul to bring you a one of a kind, original yet familiar sound that is altogether fire for your heart, and ice for your soul.

Finally Bananafish Dance Orchestra will be our Island representation on this triple bill. Bananafish Dance Orchestra came together through similar interests in Latin/jazz a few years ago through at Malispina Jazz Program. Since the initial assembly of the band, Bananafish Dance Orchestra have become one of BC's most exciting up and coming Latin/jazz bands appearing on festivals such as Vancouver Island Music Fest, The Big Time Out and Victoria Ska Festival. This will be their second appearance in as many years.

This show is ALL AGES w/licensed beverage garden for those 19rs+

Food Concession and Merchandise Tents on site

Doors: 4:30pm sharp!

PURCHASE OF THIS SHOW IS AVAILABLE THROUGH PURCHASING A FULL FESTIVAL PASS AT LYLE'S PLACE, DITCH RECORDS OR THE REEF IN VICTORIA BC. FULL FESTIVAL PASSES ALSO AVAILABLE & VIA WWW.VICTORIASKAFEST.CA

n an effort to support art in all its mediums, the Victoria BC Ska Society proudly presents the 3rd infusion of the Rocksteady Collective Multimedia Art Exhibit.

The theme for this year’s exhibition is “2Tone.” 2Tone Ska was a racial unity movement, bringing together pe...ople from all walks of life on the dance floor and on the stage, in the midst of massive racial discrimination. After the immigration policy was changed in the ‘60s, a large number of Jamaicans immigrated to Britain, and brought with them heavy ska and reggae musical influences. 2Tone was born in England in the late ‘70s. The second wave of ska music, “was basically about black and white people playing together” (Pauline Black of The Selecter). 2Tone ska bands addressed political and social issues with their lyrics, promoted common sense, moderation and equality. The legacy of 2Tone is still apparent in modern ska, using music as medium to educate people and open minds.

This year’s exhibit will feature 2Tone inspired art by some of our most passionate skartists.

All programming is by donation (or suggested donation) with proceeds going to the Alpha Project.
Check out www.victoriaskafest.ca/alpha for more info on this initiative.

Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra will be happy to come back to the Island after their recent move to Toronto earlier this year. Nanaimo hasn't seen the band in quite some time so it will be a home coming of sorts especially since they will be playing the Victoria Ska Festival a week later on July 11th at Ship Point.

It's hard to pigeon hole Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra into a particular genre. Tango, builds up with African Rythms, hooks you with some gypsy-roots-grass riffs, and pours out psychedelic waves of sound walls to a crisp finish. Not to sound too much like a bottle of wine, but The Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra are ageing well. Early tours had them playing pop up shows across Europe, hitting the streets and festivals across Canada and the US, and carefully cultivating a solid reputation as dedicated, talented and ambitious young musicians. The past two years has seen the band headlining festivals and stages across Canada and the Pacific NorthWest.

Victoria BC Ska Society is proud to announce that Natural Flavas is having their long-awaited album release at Lucky Bar, Victoria ON FRIDAY, JUNE 8TH WITH Giraffe Aftermath. Those that present (or purchase) Full Festival or Harbour Passes at the door will get in free of charge (Note there is limited capacity at Lucky Bar and this promotion has limited quantities so if you have the Full Fest or Harbour Pass show up earlier to present it for free admission)

NATURAL FLAVAS are busy again leading up to the Victoria Ska Festival. As you know they backed rocksteady legend Ken Boothe and Kae Sun at last year's Ska Fest. This year they will be playing on Ska Fest again individually on Wed/July/11th with Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra and Blackberry Wood + they'll be backing Leroy 'Heptone' Sibbles at the Grand Finale Concert on Saturday, July 14th alongside New Zealand's all Maori reggae outfit Katchafire and Vancouver's Giraffe Aftermath.

GIRAFFE AFTERMATH continue to be busy in Vancouver headlining shows with various regional bands. Additionally the band has been landed some amazing supporting gigs both in Victoria and Vancouver including opening up for Yellowman & Sagittarius Band, Katchafire, The Black Seeds and John Brown's Body. They also just finished their brand new album which was released earlier this year. You'll get to hear all the hits from their new album as well as some of the oldies from previous albums and eps.

DONATE NEW AND USED INSTRUMENTS TO THE ALPHA BOYS SCHOOL IN JAMAICA

Founded in the 19th century, The Alpha Boys School in Jamaica has influenced the creation of SKA and REGGAE music in Jamaica and around the world. This school's musical alumni includes members of The Skatalites, Yellowman, Ken Boothe, Bob Marley, Toots and the Maytals, Rico Rodriguez, Desmond Dekker and many more. Victoria BC Ska Society is collecting instruments that the school needs and will be sending them down. Long & McQuade in Victoria BC will make sure they are in working order. Please contact Byron Maier of the Victoria BC Ska Society at byron@byronmaier.com to arrange the donation.

Celebrating their 48th year, The Skatalites - original studio band for Bob Marley & the Wailers, Toots and the Maytals, Ken Boothe and Jimmy Cliff continue to carry the torch of Jamaica's musical heritage around the world. Past and present members in the band thank The Alpha Boys School in Jamaica that helped them develop as well as the aforementioned artists they backed in the early 60s. Celebrate the Skatalites' rich history and our Alpha Boys School Donation Project this Saturday, April 21st at the Waverley Hotel/Pub.

The Skatalites have lead the world on a journey like no other and have traveled more roads than most artists ever will. 2012 marks their 48th(!) year and, while some of the band’s founding members have passed onto the great stage in the sky, they continue to bring the spirit, style, and music of Jamaica to people around the world. This year promises a revitalization of the band with a new tour, a new single, a new album and a determination to pave a new path into parts unknown – all roads lead to The Skatalites.

As the tour kicks off, The Skatalites will release a 2-song single from their upcoming album “All Roads.” The single will be available digitally and as a limited edition 7” vinyl (exclusively available on the tour.) The collection features the newest lineup of the band, and several tracks featuring legendary foundation drummer Lloyd Knibb, who passed away before the sessions were completed. Along with founding members Lester Sterling and Doreen Shaffer, The Skatalites continue as torchbearers of Jamaica’s signature sounds – ska, rocksteady, and reggae – and promise to take audiences of all ages on a musical journey around the world.

Celebrating their 48th year, The Skatalites - original studio band for Bob Marley & the Wailers, Toots and the Maytals, Ken Boothe and Jimmy Cliff continue to carry the torch of Jamaica's musical heritage around the world. Past and present members in the band thank The Alpha Boys School in Jamaica that helped them develop as well as the aforementioned artists they backed in the early 60s. Celebrate the Skatalites' rich history and our Alpha Boys School Donation Project this 4/20 at Club 9ONE9 in Victoria!

The Skatalites have lead the world on a journey like no other and have traveled more roads than most artists ever will. 2012 marks their 48th(!) year and, while some of the band’s founding members have passed onto the great stage in the sky, they continue to bring the spirit, style, and music of Jamaica to people around the world. This year promises a revitalization of the band with a new tour, a new single, a new album and a determination to pave a new path into parts unknown – all roads lead to The Skatalites.

As the tour kicks off, The Skatalites will release a 2-song single from their upcoming album “All Roads.” The single will be available digitally and as a limited edition 7” vinyl (exclusively available on the tour.) The collection features the newest lineup of the band, and several tracks featuring legendary foundation drummer Lloyd Knibb, who passed away before the sessions were completed. Along with founding members Lester Sterling and Doreen Shaffer, The Skatalites continue as torchbearers of Jamaica’s signature sounds – ska, rocksteady, and reggae – and promise to take audiences of all ages on a musical journey around the world.

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Member after party to follow. Please read below for more information...

VBCSS Member Party to following this show featuring Tuff Jelly & Jah ReQuest. Admission: $10 donation for current VBCSS members or purchase of a new membership. Information on www.victoriaskafest.ca or www.facebook.com/victoria.ska.fest

Proudly Sponsored by The Reef Restaurant (Yates Street in Victoria)

ON THE ROAD TO SKA FEST 2012! ROOTZ UNDERGROUND RETURNS TO THE ISLAND!

Rootz Underground represents Jamaica’s most recent contribution to the International Reggae & World Music scene. While undeniably rooted in reggae the six-member outfit uses their collective passion to create a sound that pushes boundaries and defies being boxed into a single genre. Electric yet organic, gritty and soulful; the band manages to harness the essence that the reggae aficionado was captivated by in the 1970’s while connecting the youth to the pure messages of Rastafari with explosive live performances that are a positive and emotional musical journey.

Rootz Underground will be joined by Nanaimo's favourite Latin/funk party band BANANAFISH DANCE ORCHESTRA!

The Black Seeds from windy Wellington, New Zealand have become a musical powerhouse throughout New Zealand, Europe and North America. In the summer of 2010 the band embarked on their first North American tour that brought them all over the United States and into Canada's west coast for three memorable shows in Vancouver, Whistler and the world-renowned Victoria Ska Festival (in Victoria BC, Canada). With the support of Easy Star Records, their fans, fellow musicians and now world-famous Bret McKenzie of Flight of the Conchords, their last album "Solid Ground" (on Easy Star) received rave reviews; described by JamBaseas "one of the best, forward-minded reggae releases this year...the forefront of reggae" and by The Huffington Post as "a damn fine record…the most inventive thing out of the South Pacific in decades." Now back for another helping the band is touring again throughout Europe, and North America with a brand new album to be released in April 2012.

The Black Seeds will perform two exclusive west coast Canadian dates in Victoria, British Columbia on Tuesday, April 10th at Club 9ONE9 and Vancouver, British Columbia Wednesday, April 11th, 2012 at Fortune Sound (this show presented for purchase here). These two Black Seeds performances are proudly presented by Victoria BC Ska Society. Both BC shows will be "On the Road to Ska Fest events in preparation for the highly anticipated Victoria Ska Festival 2012 (July 10 - 14, 2012) throughout various outdoor and indoor venues in Downtown Victoria.

THE BLACK SEEDS RETURN TO CANADA! (VICTORIA SHOW) - ON THE ROAD TO SKA FEST 2012!

The Black Seeds from windy Wellington, New Zealand have become a musical powerhouse throughout New Zealand, Europe and North America. In the summer of 2010 the band embarked on their first North American tour that brought them all over the United States and into Canada's west coast for three memorable shows in Vancouver, Whistler and the world-renowned Victoria Ska Festival (in Victoria BC, Canada).With the support of Easy Star Records, their fans, fellow musicians and ex-band mate and now world-famous Bret McKenzie of Flight of the Conchords, their last album "Solid Ground" (on Easy Star) received rave reviews; described by JamBaseas "one of the best, forward-minded reggae releases this year...the forefront of reggae" and by The Huffington Post as "a damn fine record…the most inventive thing out of the South Pacific in decades." Now back for another helping the band is touring again throughout Europe, and North America with a brand new album to be released in April 2012.

The Black Seeds will perform two exclusive west coast Canadian dates in Victoria, British Columbia on Tuesday, April 10th at Club 9ONE9 (this show presented here), and Vancouver, British Columbia on April 11th, 2012 at Fortune Sound. These two Black Seeds performances are proudly presented by Victoria BC Ska Society. Both BC shows will be "On the Road to Ska Fest events in preparation for the highly anticipated Victoria Ska Festival 2012 (July 10 - 14, 2012) throughout various outdoor and indoor venues in Downtown Victoria.

Tickets on sale Friday, January 13, 2012 at Redcat, Highlife, Zulu Records & ticketweb.ca. Members of the Victoria BC Ska Society will receive opportunities to purchase discounted tickets and space will be protected for a limited time (before the show sells out).

It was almost four years ago that Kiltlifter Dave's idea to host a Tribute to Sublime concerts on the Island finally came to fruition here on the Island. It was mentioned time and time again. The motivation to do the shows was also inspired by the fact the Victoria BC Ska Society hosted Long Beach Shortbus at Victoria's 6th Annual Ska Festival in 2005. That was a historic show for sure because a similar line-up that was called Shortbus then is now called Sublime with Rome.

That said, one band that reggae/ska lovers all over BC love is Sublime. And we think a great way to celebrate it is to have bands from Victoria, and Vancouver do it in their own style.

Island bands, Brave New Waves and Hillside Hooligans will lead the Tribute to Sublime Island Style torch bringing the mini tour twice to Victoria and Vancouver (both cities will host one bar show and one all ages show) plus special shows (19+) in Nanaimo and Courtenay BC respectively.

For this show they will be playing alongside Maple Ridge BC's punk kings The Wrecktals.

Tribute to Sublime Island style stand out as one of the best memories in recent years for a lot of ska/reggae/punk fans in BC and mainly just good ol' Sublime fans that come in all ages, shapes and sizes. Don't miss out!!

Tickets on sale Friday, January 13, 2012 at Redcat, Highlife, Zulu Records & ticketweb.ca. Members of the Victoria BC Ska Society will receive opportunities to purchase discounted tickets and space will be protected for a limited time (before the show sells out).

It was almost four years ago that Kiltlifter Dave's idea to host a Tribute to Sublime concerts on the Island finally came to fruition here on the Island. It was mentioned time and time again. The motivation to do the shows was also inspired by the fact the Victoria BC Ska Society hosted Long Beach Shortbus at Victoria's 6th Annual Ska Festival in 2005. That was a historic show for sure because a similar line-up that was called Shortbus then is now called Sublime with Rome.

That said, one band that reggae/ska lovers all over BC love is Sublime. And we think a great way to celebrate it is to have bands from Victoria, and Vancouver do it in their own style.

Island bands, Brave New Waves and Hillside Hooligans will lead the Tribute to Sublime Island Style torch bringing the mini tour twice to Victoria and Vancouver (both cities will host one bar show and one all ages show) plus special shows (19+) in Nanaimo and Courtenay BC respectively.

For this show they will be playing alongside Vancouver's reggae/dub powerhouse Giraffe Aftermath.

The following night they will play an all ages show Tribute to Sublime show with Maple Ridge BC's punk kings The Wrecktals.

Tribute to Sublime Island style stand out as one of the best memories in recent years for a lot of ska/reggae/punk fans and mainly just good ol' Sublime fans that come in all ages, shapes and sizes. Don't miss out!!

It was almost four years ago that Kiltlifter Dave's idea to host a Tribute to Sublime concerts on the Island finally came to fruition here on the Island. It was mentioned time and time again. The motivation to do the shows was also inspired by the fact the Victoria BC Ska Society hosted Long Beach Shortbus at Victoria's 6th Annual Ska Festival in 2005. That was a historic show for sure because a similar line-up that was called Shortbus then is now called Sublime with Rome.

That said, one band that reggae/ska lovers all over BC love is Sublime. And we think a great way to celebrate it is to have bands from Victoria, and Vancouver do it in their own style.

Island bands, Brave New Waves and Hillside Hooligans will lead the Tribute to Sublime Island Style torch bringing the mini tour twice to Victoria and Vancouver (both cities will host one bar show and one all ages show) plus special shows (19+) in Nanaimo and Courtenay BC respectively.

For this show they will be playing alongside Vancouver's reggae/dub powerhouse Giraffe Aftermath.

Delhi 2 Dublin continue to tour North America and then make pit stops to Victoria while they are able. Once again we're excited to have them back! They will be joined by Micro Bongo Soundsystem. Don't delay. Tickets at Lyle's Place, Ditch Records & ticketweb.ca

Tickets on sale Friday, January 13, 2012 at Lyle's Place, Ditch Records & ticketweb.ca. Members of the Victoria BC Ska Society will receive opportunities to purchase discounted tickets and space will be protected for a limited time (before the shows sell out).

This is an all ages show with licensed beverage garden with ID. featuring Brave New Waves, Hillside Hooligans & Tuff Jelly
----------------------------------------------------
It was almost four years ago that Kiltlifter Dave's idea to host a Tribute to Sublime concerts on the Island finally came to fruition here on the Island. It was mentioned time and time again. The motivation to do the shows was also inspired by the fact the Victoria BC Ska Society hosted Long Beach Shortbus at Victoria's 6th Annual Ska Festival in 2005. That was a historic show for sure because a similar line-up that was called Shortbus then is now called Sublime with Rome.

That said, one band that reggae/ska lovers all over BC love is Sublime. And we think a great way to celebrate it is to have bands from Victoria, and Vancouver do it in their own style.

Island bands, Brave New Waves and Hillside Hooligans will lead the Tribute to Sublime Island Style torch bringing the mini tour twice to Victoria and Vancouver (both cities will host one bar show and one all ages show) plus special shows (19+) in Nanaimo and Courtenay BC respectively.

Other bands that will be playing along with them include Victoria's Step Back Dave and Tuff Jelly + Vancouver's reggae/dub powerhouse Giraffe Aftermath and Maple Ridge BC's punk kings The Wrecktals.

This stands out as one of the best memories in recent years for a lot of ska/reggae/punk fans and mainly just good ol' Sublime fans that come in all ages, shapes and sizes. Don't miss out!!

TRIBUTE TO SUBLIME ISLAND STYLE COMES TO COURTENAY BC

Victoria's Brave New Waves and Hillside Hooligans take the long awaited Tribute to Sublime Island Style mini tour to the Comox Valley for a date at The Bridge Lounge in Courtenay BC! Tickets on sale shortly at Bop City and ticketweb.ca!

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It was almost four years ago that Kiltlifter Dave's idea to host a Tribute to Sublime concerts on the Island finally came to fruition here on the Island. It was mentioned time and time again. The motivation to do the shows was also inspired by the fact the Victoria BC Ska Society hosted Long Beach Shortbus at Victoria's 6th Annual Ska Festival in 2005. That was a historic show for sure because a similar line-up that was called Shortbus then is now called Sublime with Rome.

That said, one band that reggae/ska lovers all over BC love is Sublime. And we think a great way to celebrate it is to have bands from Victoria, and Vancouver do it in their own style.

Island bands, Brave New Waves and Hillside Hooligans will lead the Tribute to Sublime Island Style torch bringing the mini tour twice to Victoria and Vancouver (both cities will host one bar show and one all ages show) plus special shows (19+) in Nanaimo and Courtenay BC respectively.

Other bands that will be playing along with them include Victoria's Step Back Dave and Tuff Jelly + Vancouver's reggae/dub powerhouse Giraffe Aftermath and Maple Ridge BC's punk kings The Wrecktals.

(before the shows sell out).

This stands out as one of the best memories in recent years for a lot of ska/reggae/punk fans and mainly just good ol' Sublime fans that come in all ages, shapes and sizes. Don't miss out!!

Tickets on sale Friday, January 13, 2012 at Lyle's Place, Ditch Records & ticketweb.ca. Members of the Victoria BC Ska Society will receive opportunities to purchase discounted tickets and space will be protected for a limited time (before the shows sell out).

It was almost four years ago that Kiltlifter Dave's idea to host a Tribute to Sublime concerts on the Island finally came to fruition here on the Island. It was mentioned time and time again. The motivation to do the shows was also inspired by the fact the Victoria BC Ska Society hosted Long Beach Shortbus at Victoria's 6th Annual Ska Festival in 2005. That was a historic show for sure because a similar line-up that was called Shortbus then is now called Sublime with Rome.

That said, one band that reggae/ska lovers all over BC love is Sublime. And we think a great way to celebrate it is to have bands from Victoria, and Vancouver do it in their own style.

Island bands, Brave New Waves and Hillside Hooligans will lead the Tribute to Sublime Island Style torch bringing the mini tour twice to Victoria and Vancouver (both cities will host one bar show and one all ages show) plus special shows (19+) in Nanaimo and Courtenay BC respectively.

Other bands that will be playing along with them include Victoria's Step Back Dave and Tuff Jelly + Vancouver's reggae/dub powerhouse Giraffe Aftermath and Maple Ridge BC's punk kings The Wrecktals.

This stands out as one of the best memories in recent years for a lot of ska/reggae/punk fans and mainly just good ol' Sublime fans that come in all ages, shapes and sizes. Don't miss out!!

Proudly sponsored by The Joint Pizza & CFUV 101.9FM

ALPHA BOYS SCHOOL FUNDRAISER IN CAMPBELL RIVER (Vancouver Island)

Fri. February 10th 20127:30pm doors at 7pm By Donation $7 minimum donation or a gently used instrument

Do you happen to have any musical instruments which are currently unused or otherwise collecting dust in your home? Perhaps you used to play a clarinet, flute, saxophone or trombone but are no longer using it or it may not be working properly. If so bring it to this show and gain admission to help a worthwhile cause!

Visit www.victoriaskafest.ca/alpha or contact byron@byronmaier.com for more info!

TANYA STEPHENS COMES TO THE ISLAND FOR THE 1ST TIME - BOB MARLEY'S 67TH JUBILEE CELEBRATION

This February 9, 2012 Pepperpot - Victoria's Hypest Caribbean Radio and ENIGMATICA ENTERTAINMENT in affiliation with the Victoria BC Ska Society are proud to present Jamaica's dancehall diva TANYA STEPHENS for the first time on the Island. Tanya Stephens is one of the most entertaining and conscious dancehall artists in the world.

'Tanya Stephens is that rare outta order gal pickney who’s proved to the dancehall frat that she’s meant for more than decorating men’s rhymes with smooth background harmonies.' Gangsta Blues, Tanya’s fifth CD (VP Records), is raw, rebellious, and authentic, confirming her position at the top of the dancehall game with a vivid display of her wide-ranging musical imagination and keen wordplay. Whether spouting hardcore racy rhymes, insightful political statements, or crooning heart-tugging romantic fables, only gutsy power bolts come from the throat of this giant talent.

Stephens' most recent album "Infallible" offers much the same variety as her previous hit albums such as Gangsta Blues and Rebelution.

Tanya Stephens' first appearance to Victoria will be in honour of Bob Marley's 67th Jubilee Celebration. Remember to listen to Pepperpot - Victoria's Hypest Caribbean Radio that airs each and every Saturday from 6-7pm on CFUV 101.9FM or CFUV.UVIC.CA.

This show will be a completely empressive line-up including artists such as Kia Kadiri that has been referred to as the KRS Queen of Hip Hop on the Island + Ndidi Cascade, Skyla J, Elaine Shepherd & Tank Gyal.

Thursday, January 12, 2012 at the Victoria Event Centre will be the first of many incredible events of 2012 when SHANE PHILIP and TEQUILA MOCKINGBIRD ORCHESTRA join forces to bring us a music paradise like no other for all ages to enjoy.

It's been too long since we've seen either of these two bands around the Island. You may remember the last two shows Shane Philip has appeared on in Victoria have been nothing less than unforgettable. The last plays were with Gaudi at Sugar Nightclub in October 2010 and earlier that same year at the Victoria Ska Festival with Katchafire and Mindil Beach Markets. Now Shane Philip makes his long awaited return to Victoria with his latest album Life. Love. Music. going strong gaining momentum nationally and gaining him spots on the Open Sky Music Festival and opening for The Wailers in Vancouver (also January 2012).

Borrowing from folk, reggae, blues and beyond, Shane Philip blurs the boundaries of expectation and music into an altogether unique soundscape. "We are influenced by everything we listen to, see and do," Shane reminds. "So much of what shapes the music, vibe, content, and overall feeling of the songs is unconscious. I write music that results from everything that goes on in the life I live.

This time Shane Philip will be playing alongside longtime Island nomads - TEQUILA MOCKINGBIRD ORCHESTRA. Since you may have seen them a year ago TMO have been constantly touring throughout Canada and the US. Despite band members moving to other places throughout North America the band has managed to retain and build on their music and international appeal.

TMO delivers their brand of acoustic, high energy Gypsy-Roots-Ska-Folk-Grass with dedication and precision, keeping it exciting and generating dancing fans with every show. They've sold hundreds of albums at individual shows, and tend to always be that name you overhear someone saying "Did you see that band?"

The Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra have consistently followed the demands of their fans, taking them from a 4 month tour in Europe in 2008, national and international tours in 2009, 2010 and 2011 that garnered much recognition, winning 2010 Monday Magazine “M” award for Most Promising Band, and performing showcases at NXNE, Folk Alliance, and this year at OCFF.

COLLIE BUDDZ & NEW KINGSTON w/GAPPY RANKS & DJ Pee Wee COME TO THE ISLAND FOR A CANADIAN EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL!

Collie Buddz's last show in Victoria was one to remember and the Island is still raving about it. Now there is silent anticipation about this next one come Sunday, November 13, 2011.

The Island will have a lot to be excited about because not only will they see Collie Buddz but they'll see him with a full band. Victoria BC Ska Society & Pepperpot - Victoria's Hypest Carbbean Radio proudly present COLLIE BUDDZ & NEW KINGSTON BAND with upcoming dancehall sensation Gappy Ranks!

Come catch Chris Murray & the New Victorians and Stomp Records artists - The Beatdown are Metropolis (corner of Government & Pandora) Friday, November 11th.

The Island will be blessed with Canada's grooviest most talented ska/reggae acts.

Here's an interesting fact: Did you know that the first (Canadian "Chris Murray Combo" consisted of Jules Charles - from The Bombasts/Eep Op Orp; Christian Stevenson from the same band and Sam Tallo of King Apparatus. Well if you didn't know then you'll be happy to know that those musicians consist of four fifths of Chris Murray & the New Victorians.

And The Beatdown are Stomp Records' most soulful ska/reggae band. The Beatdown have major influences from The Aggrolites (especially their older material) and those into tradionial ska; soul, and reggae will be in heaven if they attend this show.

Tuff Jelly has just been added to the bill and are excited to make a rare appearance in support of these two bands. Hailing from Victoria the members of Tuff Jelly mix dirty reggae with ska, dancehall and a smack of rap just to keep it steady. ROCKAS beware the tuff jelly fish is the toughest fish in the sea

SKA FALL CLASSIC 2011 IS ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11TH AT METROPOLIS. Tickets on sale shortly.

KING YELLOWMAN & THE SAGITTARIUS BAND IN VICTORIA BC WITH GIRAFFE AFTERMATH!

Tickets on sale now at Lyle's Place, Ditch Records, The Reef, Strathcona Hotel, and ticketweb.ca

Victoria BC Ska Society & Pepperpot are proud to bring Victoria Jamaica's first dancehall superstar. YELLOWMAN ushered in a new era in reggae music following Bob Marley's death. His early-'80s success brought the popularity of toasting -- the reggae equivalent of rapping -- to a whole new level, and helped establish dancehall as the wave of the future.

YELLOWMAN was one of the most verbally nimble toasters of his time, with a loose, easy flow, a talent for improvisation, and a definite wit in his wordplay. Plus, all the boasting about his prowess on the mic or in the bedroom had to be over the top to be convincing: true to his stage name, Yellow-man was an albino, which carries a tremendous social stigma in Jamaica.

Also playing alongside King Yellowman is Vancouver's Giraffe Aftermath. The band is becoming recognized around Vancouver as they've played around the city for the past four years playing with other bands such as John Brown's Body, The Black Seeds, Israel's Zvoloon Dub System and other notable bands.

Friday, October 14th come out to Lucky Bar to party with three of your favourite Island ska/reggae/Latin bands. It's the first time that all three of these bands have been on the same bill.

You all know Brave New Waves from going to sweet shows with them playing with bands like Rootz Underground, Chris Murray & Jon and Roy among many others. You also may remember that they were in Vancouver a lot this past spring working on a new album. Well, now it's time for them to show the fruits of their labour. They will have their new 23 song album available at the show and this show will celebrate it.

Bananafish Dance Orchestra are a high energy 8-piece Latin/ska/funk/jazz ensemble. They've also played on some nice festivals including the Victoria Ska Festival and Vancouver Island Music Festival. Their last appearance in Victoria was with The Klaxon from Bogota, Colombia and Mexico's Mama Pulpa.

And finally Step Back Dave (who often play with label mates Everybody Left) will round out the bill. Step Back Dave bring an honest and ambitious voice to the Island's Leftcoast Ska/Reggae influenced scene. Nick & Dan have been playing together since they were kids and they were joined by Ethan in time to begin recording their debut album. After a studio theft and 10 songs were lost, the self-titled 3 song EP was released. SBD teamed up with their friends at Outer City to help with distribution.

Victoria BC Ska Society & Enigmatica Entertainment are proud to present this never seen before combination of bands in Vancouver - Giraffe Aftermath & Shane Philip. Giraffe Aftermath are no strangers to Vancouver as it's their home turf but they are right now experiencing a resurgence with their brand new album out "Sleepless Nights" and their full horn section back in full effect.

Shane Philip is happy to finally make his long-awaited Vancouver debut. Having toured across Canada multiple times, playing on various festivals and special events including the Olympic stage in Whistler Shane is a westcoast favourite. With several albums beneath his belt, Philip is proud to present his most recent work titled "Life. Love. Music" with the Vancouver faithful.

HEADS HANG HEAVY is a collective of diverse musicians who share the common goal of making dance floors sweat. Combining the roots of Reggae, the meatiness of the Blues, and a splash of Ska - HHH complete their west coast blend with original music and tasty vocals that stir your thoughts and warm the soul.

Tickets on sale now at Lyle's Place, Ditch Records, The Reef & ticketweb.ca

Tickets will be $12.50 adv. or $10.50 for members of Victoria BC Ska Society until September 7th (at The Slackers show).

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We bet you didn't expect this announcement but it's true... SKAMPIDA from Bogota, Colombia (one of BC's favourite Colombian party bands) is coming to Victoria at V-Lounge - Thursday, September 15, 2011 with special guests HILLSIDE HOOLIGANS & CRUDE CULTURA (members of Rocky Mountain Rebel Music & Divine Element).

SKAMPIDA went back to Colombia after their Colombia to Columbia tour to commit to play at Rock Al Parque - one of Latin America's largest annual festivals --- > but now they're back in North America on the west coast and they're ready for a come warm Canadian hospitality.

HILLSIDE HOOLIGANS are also ready to rip this show after coming off playing with The Planet Smashers and Australia's The Resignators at Victoria's 12th Annual Ska Festival at Market Square. In case you haven't heard the band is bursting out the seams with new phat material. DIRTY REGGAE, catchy grooves and danceable tunes non-stop. With the dawn of a new Hillside Hooligans due later this fall the members have found even more inspiration after building on a recent string of press leading up to the Victoria Ska Festival. Notably Ky-Mani Marley & Gramps Morgan's crew knew the band;)

CRUDE CULTURA was a band that was created from creative passion and a once in a life-time opportunity to perform with Fishbone's Angelo Moore (aka Dr. Madd Vibe) in Halloween of 2010. The band plays Latin, funk, ska, reggae and hip hop mixing all the genres beautifully.Nostic and Felicia bring soul and a Latin/hip hop flavour to the band not found in any other band on the Island. The band consists of members from both Rocky Mountain Rebel Music & Divine Element.

The Slackers are Brooklyn, New York's ska/reggae kings. The band has been tearing around the world for the past 20 years building faithful audiences in the process. The Slackers have been guests of Victoria and Vancouver numerous times and have also appeared on Victoria's Annual Ska Festival at least twice in the festival's history. With numerous albums behind them (presently signed to Hellcat Records) and more to come the band only has a bright past to look back on and a bright future to look forward to.

Guests Georgetown Orbits may not have 20 years behind them but they've been around for about half that much time which still gives them a rich history. Georgetown Orbits have also appeared on the Victoria Ska Festival with The Slackers.

VICTORIA'S 12TH ANNUAL SKA FESTIVAL AFTERNOON APPETIZER

The 3rd of 3 FREE outdoor shows proudly presented by the Victoria BC Ska Society as part of Victoria's 12th Annual Ska Festival.

Come enjoy this all ages show with a Beverage Garden for those with ID. There will also be food vendors on site.

Honeyboy Carencro will be bringing his bluesy soulful sound from New Orleans while Mobadass stirs up stylings of reggae with an electro feel, and The Fundamentals from Montreal will get into your head with the perfect combination of horns and organ in their reggae/ska.

Outdoors/All Ages/Beverage Garden w/ID. w/Food Tents. Early bird tickets available now on ticketweb.ca!

Victoria's 12th Annual Ska Festival will be ending in fine form when none other than the son of Robert Nesta Marley - KY-MANI MARLEY makes his debut at Victoria's 12th Annual Ska Festival. Ky-Mani Marley has had a fruitful career at the young age of 34. His career began in the public eye back in 1997 when he teamed up with hip hop artist Prap of the Fugees for a memorable rendition of Eddy's Grant "Electric Avenue." This would be the defining moment in his journey which lead him to pick up the torch his iconic father (Bob Marley) lit so many years ago. Since that time KY-MANI has been an artist with few limits incorporating world music, hip hop, reggae, dancehall blues and rock into his repertoire. With three albums to his credit and collaborations with endless artists ranging from reggae to rock (including notables from his own Marley music family - Damian Marley, Stephen, and Ziggy and others as diverse from Buju Banton to Van Halen KY-MANI is destined to be a world class artist well in the future. Accompanied by a full band KY-MANI will be joined by GRAMPS MORGAN (of Morgan Heritage).

Roy Morgan (GRAMPS MORGAN), a member of the internationally renowned reggae group, Morgan Heritage, was born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in Springfield, Massachusetts with his parents and 29 other siblings. Gramps is one of the legendary Denroy Morgan’s seventeen sons and was affectionately given the name “Grampa” on the day of his birth by an aunt who noticed his uncanny resemblance to his grandfather. The name, “Gramps”, would follow him throughout childhood into adulthood and is also used as his stage name. He became a member of the family band Morgan Heritage, at the tender age of nine. Morgan Heritage has recorded over twenty albums spanning many hits including the all time favorites “Down By The River”, “Don’t Haffi Dread” and “I’m Coming Home”, to mention but a few. They have sold millions of records and continue to gain fans all over the world. Denroy Morgan had prophesied that one day, each of the group members would trod on their own journey to achieve solo stardom. After more than a decade of touring and performing with Morgan Heritage, Gramps is now reveling in the success of his long foreseen solo career.

On the Canadian side of this bill KAE SUN - one of Canada's reggae/hip hop diamonds in the rough will be opening the show backed by Vancouver's Natural Flavas (who will be playing a free performance earlier the same day at Market Square - same venue where Ky-Mani Marley & Gramps will be performing.

And finally Victoria's own funk/ska/reggae rockers ROCKY MOUNTAIN REBEL MUSIC will be setting the stage and making it even hotter for a performance the Victoria Ska Festival faithful will never forget!

Workshop - Trombone Performance with Ska/Rock/Reggae Bands

Fri. July 8th 20112:30pm - 3:30pm doors at 2:15pm Free FREE (Admission by advance sign up at Long & McQuade)

Dave St. Jean is a force in the reggae and ska scene on Vancouver Island and the west coast of Canada. Born and raised in Nanaimo, B.C., Dave has played the trombone professionally for 12-years. Known for playing in Nanaimo’s The Kiltlifters he also performs full-time with Victoria "new roots" band Current Swell. Over the past three years, he has joined them on multiple tours and recorded on two of their albums.

St. Jean’s trombone resume is impressive playing headlining acts on the Victoria Ska Festival including Fishbone, Neville Staples of the Specials and Toronto-based dub-master/Juno Award winner Dubmatix. With his talent, experience, and on-stage confidence, Dave aims to be the"go-to bone player" in the reggae and ska scene for both recording and live performance with local and touring acts.

St. Jean’s workshop will cover general brass playing, performance and improvisation in ska/rock/reggae bands. He will also demonstrate and discuss stage etiquette as well as what to do when jumping up with other bands on stage.

Other topics will include how to get involved with other bands and branching out in the industry and first time jamming with new groups.

Get ready for a show of epic proportions when Victoria BC Ska Society proudly presents yet another Skankster's Paradise at Victoria's 12th Annual Ska Festival. We are extremely happy to be back at Market Square for this most special event when Stomp Records' THE PLANET SMASHERS - Canada's kings of ska grace the Victoria Ska Festival stage alongside Australia's The Resignators and Victoria's own Hillside Hooligans!

Beverage Garden w/ID. Merchandise Tents & Food Concessions on site.

Early bird tickets available on ticketweb.ca starting Wednesday, April 20th! Members will get a festival discount!

THE KLAXON IN QUADRA ISLAND!

For those of you in the Comox Valley area that may not be at Ska Fest, Victoria BC Ska Society and Solid Productions have teamed up to bring you The Klaxon from Bogota, Colombia! This continues the rich tradition of the Victoria BC Ska Society and Quadra Island partnering to bring our Island ska/reggae massive the best of the best from around the world! Tickets $15.00 advance on ticketweb.ca and at the door if if sold out.

KEY-NOTE ADDRESS FROM KEN BOOTHE "MR. ROCKSTEADY"

Rocksteady was the one of the roots of reggae after ska music was created in the early 1960s. Sometimes referred to as “The Golden Era”, despite rocksteady’s short stint of popular appeal, it has had a huge impact on other forms of Jamaican music such as reggae, dub and dancehall. Today a lot of younger reggae and dancehall fans and artists still listen to rocksteady music. Popular dancehall artists such as Shaggy and Sean Paul use it in chart topping songs that are revered worldwide.

“Mr. Rocksteady” aka Kenneth George Boothe is a living embodiment of the rocksteady and reggae genres. Ken Boothe worked with Coxsone Dodd at Studio 1 and Leslie Kong in the late 60s and early 70s. Influenced by artists such as Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, and The Temptations, and being born into a musical family made the perfect recipe to encourage Boothe to further greatness up until today.

Ken Boothe will give festival fans a keynote address about the genre of rocksteady that is so often overlooked by even reggae and ska appreciators. Building on past Ska Fest workshops he will explain the difference in beat patterns and the instrumentation that most rocksteady groups posses in contrast to other Jamaican rooted musical forms such as ska and reggae. Along with technical knowledge and expertise from a man that lived in this era, fans will hear first hand experiences and key events that lead to the rise of “Mr. Rocksteady” Kenneth George Boothe.

Workshop - TIMELESS TECHNIQUES OF A GLOBAL ELECTRONIC SELECTOR

Thu. July 7th 20113:30pm - 4:30pm doors at 3:15pm Free FREE (Admission by advance sign up at Long & McQuade)

Thursday, July 7, 2011 (3:30pm - 4:30pm) @ Long & McQuade Music Education Centre
Gaudi’s history is intriguing and musically international. Born in Italy Gaudi’s beginnings were spawned from being a keyboard player in a band called Wild Planet that experimented with fusing new wave and ska together. Groups that he was a part afterwards experimented in electronic, punk and traditional melodies. In the 90s his solo career took off going on tours with reggae artists such as Ziggy Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Mutabaruka, and Third World. The key components to Gaudi’s musical success was innovation through constant experimentation. With a thirst for experimentation and his love for various musical styles Gaudi was able to climb to the top of the charts in the UK after he moved from his native country in Italy in the early 90s.

This workshop will go into depth about the history of Gaudi’s career and events or experiences that influenced his musical direction. Although influenced by many genres, Gaudi will address reggae and dub music’s influence on his career and his current music.

For DJs and fans of electronic music Gaudi managed to keep contemporary, innovative and engaging to his audiences. It is widely known throughout DJ circles that Gaudi’s performances have always been cutting edge and use a variety of musical fusions, styles and techniques to bring out a sound that is unique to other DJs in the global electronic world (which was in and of itself molded by Gaudi). Gaudi will demonstrate some of the techniques he uses to keep audiences coming back time and time again.

Victoria BC Ska Society is proud to present GAUDI at the Victoria Ska Festival for the first time.

Recently nominated for the "World Music Awards" with his chart topping album 'Dub Qawwali', Gaudi's eclectic style and versatility has kept him at the forefront of his field throughout a notable and prolific career; this latest accolade confirms the London-based Italian-born music producer/solo artist's credentials as a force to be reckoned with in the international music scene. There is a natural sensitivity to Gaudi's music which enables him to unify different forms of sound from around the world and represent them in his own personal style, while at the same time, most importantly, keeping the heart, integrity and significance of the cultural roots. His music, which is an organic fusion of Dub, Electronica and Worldbeat is rarely off the playlists and regularly being performed live in the UK and internationally.

Rounding out the bill will be Micro Bongo Sound System which combines African, Brazilian and Jamaican rooted riddims into an electronic/live fusion of percussion grooves and experimental sounds.

Tickets on sale now at Lyle's Place, Ditch Records, The Reef & in Vancouver at Highlife & Red Cat Records. Also available with full fest pass at The Reef or on-line on this site.

Those that know their history of ska also know that it was the father of its more popular family member "reggae." But in between the golden era of ska and the world-wide explosion of reggae through Bob Marley another genre called ROCKSTEADY was born.

Ken Boothe is one of the greatest singers of this era of ska/ROCKSTEADY/reggae Jamaica has ever had. And in 2003 his was awarded with the Order of Distinction from the Jamaican government for his ever lasting contribution to music in Jamaica.

His musical talents and love for humanity have afforded him the opportunity of touring in North and South America, Europe, Japan, Canada and the Caribbean. With a unique combination of talent, Boothe has emerged as a “one of a kind” singer; an accomplished musician, songwriter, musical arranger and an impressive dancer. His artistic style embraces a rare blend of musical genius.

Joining him on the bill will be CHRIS MURRAY & THE NEW VICTORIANS

Chris Murray is a national treasure. While he currently lives in LA, he is perhaps best-known as frontman and lead vocalist of the now defunct Canadian ska giants known as King Apparatus. For almost two decades he has been touring the world as a solo artist and has become known as “The one man ska band”. His unique folk-ska sound mixes together classic ska and rocksteady with contemporary sensibilities. His set at this year’s Victoria Ska Festival promises to be one of his best yet, with a band made up of hand-picked musicians by Murray himself. In his own words “ska is all we need”.

And finally NATURAL FLAVAS produces original reggae-soaked music with horns and harmonies that parallels the current Jamaican scene while remaining uniquely Canadian. The band also works as a backing band for other reggae artists performing an extensive repertoire of standards, and several of the members have played with Jamaican artists touring Canada (Mighty Diamonds, George Nooks, Alton Ellis & Half Pint). Moving forward from here, Natty Flavs wants to bring their brand of original fire to the world and put Vancouver on the map as part of the larger international reggae community.

This is the second of 3 FREE outdoor shows proudly presented by the Victoria BC Ska Society as part of the 12th Annual Victoria Ska Fest!

It will be All Ages, with a Beverage Garden for those with ID. There will also be food vendors on site.

Don't miss this FREE show, which will be held in Victoria's beautiful Inner Harbour.

The Klaxon will be bringing their Latin take on ska and reggae sounds all the way from Bogota, Colombia.

With ten years of experience The Klaxon, has been nominated for best ska band in the Shock awards, has been participated in three editions of Festival Rock al Parque (2001, 2002 and 2009) the Rastazo (2002 and 2008) and in different ska- reggae festivals throughout the country, sharing the stage with bands like King Chango, Los Condones, Timmy O 'Toole, Dr. Krapula, La Severa Matacera and Nawal. The Klaxon has participated in 2 CD compilations: "El que la hace la grita" with Sony Music in Mexico, "Latin America United Skabox 1 and 2" under the label Viuda Negra Music.

Joining them will be The Afterbeat from Winnipeg who have a very upbeat pop/punk feel to their brand of ska. The Afterbeat are no strangers to the Victoria Ska Fest playing in 200Nanaimo's own Bananafish Dance Orchestra will be fusing different genres and elements of sound.

MAMA PULPA from Mexico City make their return to VICTORIA'S 12TH ANNUAL SKA FESTIVAL!

This show has a special connection to our ska scene province wide. Mama Pulpa have had a close connection to Victoria's Annual Ska Festival since their first appearance in 2008 when they played with platinum selling Inspector and Vancouver's ska powerhouse Los Furios. Touring with Victoria and Vancouver bands in the past two years in their own country, Mama Pulpa are back again for a second helping. Mama Pulpa will be playing at this year's festival alongside Vancouver's 9 piece party ska fiends Ivy League Brawlers and Victoria's own Everybody Left.

VICTORIA'S 12TH ANNUAL SKA FESTIVAL FREE FOR ALL KICK OFF CONCERT - JON AND ROY JUST ANNOUNCED AS MYSTERY BAND!

Kicking off the 12th Annual Victoria Ska Festival, this will be the first of 3 FREE outdoor shows proudly presented by the Victoria BC Ska Society.

It will be All Ages, with a Beverage Garden for those with ID. There will also be food vendors on site.

Come out and enjoy the FREE entertainment, and get to see who the surprise mystery band is!

Victoria's own JON AND ROY are playing on this show that were previously our mystery band! They'll be playing with Victoria's favourite island style reggae band Braves New Waves , along with hip hop/reggae/surf masters Giraffe Aftermath from Vancouver, and Victoria reggae/ska wonders The Novamatics.

As influenced by Ska music and paving the way to Reggae, Rocksteady was created decades ago during a time of economic, political and civil unrest. The message of the music remains timeless, touching a modern audience as effectually as it did during it's inception. The Rocksteady Collective will embody the soul of rocksteady through visual art mediums, uplifting and romancing the gallery in the way that rocksteady music has captivated its audience.

There will be a gallery opening on Tuesday, July 5th, 2011, 9:30pm to 1am at Suite #17 in the Market Square lower courtyard (take the stairs on Johnson street beside Devlish Damsels).

There will be live musical performances hosted by Chris Murray, Lady Mish Mash and friends! Live body painting by Danger By Design, an interactive collective art piece and 4000 sq ft of amazing art!

There will be a beverage garden (with 2 pieces of ID)

Admission to the grand opening: minimum $8 donation

The gallery will be host to the Rocksteady Collective art opening on Tuesday, as well as a Key Note address by "Mr. Rocksteady" (Ken Boothe) on Thursday July 7th 12-2:30pm.

The "Rocksteady Collective" Art Exhibit will be open to the general public on Friday July 8th, 4pm - 1am and Saturday July 9th, 12:30pm - 1am during the festival main event.

All programming at the Rocksteady Collective is by suggested donation (with the exception of the grand opening) with proceeds going to the Alpha Boys School in Kingston, Jamaica, which was responsible for teaching and influencing many artists such as Ken Boothe, Bob Marley, various musicians in the Skatalites and many more

Zvuloon Dub System from Tel Aviv, Israel comes to Canada for the 1st time in June 2011. Victoria BC Ska Society is proud to host one of the Canadian dates to celebrate the coming of the Victoria Ska Festival. This is a free all ages outdoor show w/ beverage garden and concession. Sponsored by the City of Victoria

COLOMBIA TO COLUMBIA PROJECT IN VANCOUVER! - ON THE ROAD TO SKA FEST 2011!

Skampida returns to Vancouver at the Railway Club after two unforgettable performances which included playing alongside New Zealand's the Black Seeds and Vancouver's Giraffe Aftermath. On May 19th @ The Railway Club they'll be joined by the Island's powerhouse funk/ska/reggae party band Rocky Mountain Rebel Music & Lady Mish Mash.

VICTORIA'S 12TH ANNUAL SKA FESTIVAL LAUNCH PARTY

The Victoria BC Ska Society proudly presents the launch party for the 12th Annual Victoria BC Ska Festival. The Victoria Ska Festival will be held from July 5th-9th at various venues around Victoria.

The launch party is a FREE event that is open to anyone and everyone! The bands for the 2011 Festival will be announced at this party! The launch party will also have FREE live entertainment (with Skampida from Bogota, Colombia), prizes to be given away, and a screening of the latest Ska Festival movie!

Don't miss this event! This is a great chance to learn more about the upcoming Ska Festival! Plus you can buy tickets to the Festival itself, while enjoying FREE entertainment and prizes.

Tickets on sale now at Lyle's Place, Ditch Records, The Reef & ticketweb.ca!

If you're interested in a great dance party full of good party music with a Latin edge or any fun edge for that matter you'll be happy to welcome back SKAMPIDA - from Bogota, Colombia back to Victoria BC! Debuting at Victoria's 11th Annual Ska Festival back in the summer of July 2010 the band has been relentless with spreading their music throughout both Central and South America + the US. Notably the band was invited to Austin, Texas to play at South by Southwest through Live Nation Latino and have been well received in Miami, and New York. The band's second trip to Canada will prove even more fruitful as audiences throughout BC were mesmerized by their sheer talent and energy. Mixing ska, reggae, punk, Kumbia, merengue, hip hop into one so colourfully and creatively you won't stop dancing until the the lights are turned on.

David Hillyard & the Rocksteady 7 have been silently one of the best ska/jazz ensembles in North America for almost 10 years. Spawned by David Hillyard of the living legendary The Slackers, David continued to develop and pursue this band which is a rotating treasure trove of New York's finest ska, jazz and reggae musicians.

Of note Larry McDonald who began his career back at the inception of ska music with Carlos Malcolm’s Afro Jamaicans will be part of the band. McDonald went on to perform on several classic reggae tracks such as Cherry Oh Baby, Funky Kingston, and Rivers of Babylon. Then he left Jamaica and played long stints with Taj Mahal and Gil Scott-Heron.

Long time Slackers side project comes to Canada's Westcoast for the 1st time! (VICTORIA BC)

Tickets on sale now at Lyle's Place, Ditch Records (on Fort Street), The Reef & ticketweb.ca VBCSS will also have the opportunity of purchasing early bird specially priced tickets until March 31, 2011.

For those of you that know David Hillyard, you know that he is the tenor saxophonist of one of the greatest ska bands in the world: The Slackers. But what many may not have known is he is also the leader of another New York ska wonder that has been around for close to 10 years. This is David Hillyard and the Rocksteady 7. This band is a shifting collective of musicians (i.e Easy Star All Stars) that are the masters of mixing jazz, ska, reggae and Latin sounds together for an undeniably unique and flavourful sound rare to most ears.

In addition to David Hillyard the band boasts Larry McDonald who began his career back at the inception of ska music with Carlos Malcolm’s Afro Jamaicans. He went on to perform on several classic reggae tracks such as Cherry Oh Baby, Funky Kingston, and Rivers of Babylon. Then he left Jamaica and played long stints with Taj Mahal and Gil Scott-Heron.

Joining David Hillyard & Rocksteady 7 will be Victoria's The Novamatics and Jules Chaz spinning some of the best in old school ska, rocksteady with reggae, Latin and soul riddims.

GET LEI'D - OAHU, HAWAII'S THE GREEN MAKE THEIR CANADIAN DEBUT IN COMOX VALLEY AT THE BRIDGE LOUNGE!

GET LEI'D SPRING BREAK PARTY!!!!
We are decking out The Bridge to a tropical Hawaiian Theme! Come dressed up in grass skirts, coconut bras, shorts and floral shirts. We are hosting The Green and Through the Roots From Hawaii and Our local talent The Naked DJ's.

Formed in 2009 in Oahu, Hawaii, The Green blends roots reggae with traditional Hawaiian vibes. Their self-titled debut album was named iTunes Best Reggae Album of 2010. "The Green" has sold over 16,000 copies, and includes the hit song "Love I". "There's plenty of invention, not imitation, which should propel The Green to the stratosphere reserved for few stars" (Honolulu Advertiser)

Joining Barrington Levy & Detour will be Canada's reggae alumni... A longtime favourite of the Island Reggae Massive: Jah Cutta & Determination (back with his original band) will be part of this most festive show + DJ Abel who has performed at many a Pepperpot B-Day Bash!

Victoria will be lucky to have with Jamaica’s godfather of dancehall/reggae when Barrington Levy (pronounced LEE-VEE) & Detour Posse will bless them with their presence on Sunday, March 13 @ Club 9ONE9 (formerly Element). Barrington Levy is a driving force in reggae & dancehall music and remains the perennial favourite of audiences in Jamaica and throughout the world. Always a solid voice and a uniquely expressive song style, Barrington is consistently at the forefront of the music scene, and has become the most requested vocalist in reggae music history.The classic album of Barrington's greatest hits "Broader Than Broadway," is one of the best reggae collections ever created. This was released on the hip-hop label Profile, which helped Barrington to become more recognizable in the crossover market. He came back with Bounty Killer on the song "Living Dangerously" -undisputedly the biggest reggae song of 1996, which held the 1 spot on the dancehall charts worldwide. Barrington Levy has probably collaborated with more reggae and hip hop musicians than any other performer in the genre. Any “who’s who” of the reggae/dahcehall world has collaborated with Barrington. Names include the aforementioned Bounty Killer and others including Sly & Robbie, Buju Banton, Beenie Man, Capleton, Gentleman, Vybz Kartel, Mr. Vegas, Long Beach and Slightly Stoopid. In the hip hop realm his accolades include works with Snoop Dog, Shyne, Busta Rhymes, Kardinal Offishall and The Rascalz. The show is a double b-day for Pepperpot on CFUV 101.9FM or cfuv.uvic.ca - Victoria’s Hypest Caribbean Radio and Bob Marley’s 66th Jubilee. Pepperpot has been Vancouver Island’s #1 promoter of Caribbean music since its inception in February 2001. The show has brought joy to thousands of listeners in its 10 year history. Celebrate a rare appearance of Barrington Levy; Pepperpot's 10th Year Anniversary! Proudly supported by Victoria BC Ska Society

THE IDLERS (from St. John's Newfoundland) back on left coast for a 2nd helping!

If anyone remembers the last show at Lucky Bar when THE IDLERS played with The Novamatics and Bananafish Dance Orchestra they will probably have fond memories of coming to one of the craziest shows we've hosted all summer (apart from the shows at Victoria's 11th Annual Ska Festival). Anyway The Idlers are going to make the mammouth trek from Canada's far east to far west - one Island to another...

As you may already know The Idlers are an eleven-piece reggae circus from St. John's, Newfoundland. Their unique sound comes from a love for reggae, ska, and afro-beat, peppered with a little Celtic. Ringmaster Mark Wilson fronts a solid rhythm section, and heavy horns, bringing audiences to frenzy since they began in April 2006.

The Aggrolites came to Victoria in the summer of 2010 for Victoria Ska Festival and put down one memorable performance. Their performance was one of the most spirited ones the festival has had in some time. This time they are going to take some chill time on their pit stop from their Social Distortion tour and spend some time with us on the Island in Victoria! Take advantage of this show as it's all ages w/food and drink concession. ID. required for beverage garden. Also take advantage of cheaper early bird tickets before they're gone.

The Aggrolites came to Vancouver in the summer of 2010 on route to Victoria Ska Festival. This time they are going to take some chill time on their pit stop from their Social Distortion tour and party with us in Van City.

Boxing Day Party w/Chris Murray (Ska Society Membership Launch)

The Victoria BC Ska Society is having an intimate Boxing Day celebration and membership drive, featuring Chris Murray! This event is free with a membership, and only for members, due to the small size of the intimate venue.

An annual membership to the Victoria BC Ska society costs $20 and gives the following benefits:

- Access to exclusive, members-only concerts and events like this one

- Earliest notice and lowest cost tickets for events

- Opportunities to be surveyed (or vote) regarding which artists you would like to see presented for the festival and year-round presentations

To get the address:

1) Sign up for a membership at: http://victoriaskafest.ca/?action=membership (On-line form to sign up available this Tuesday, December 14th)

2) You can pay your annual fee online or at the door. Whether you have paid or not, you will receive an email with the address and details before the event.

This is a private venue, BYOB. Sign up for a membership to reserve your spot.

This Halloween is going to be an extra special one as we're going out on a limb to bring you an exclusive appearance with DR. MADD VIBE EXPERIMENT (Angelo Moore - lead singer of Fishbone's nationally renowned on-going project).

Dr. Madd Vibe’s work represents a link between poetry, performance art and music. Angelo Moore (aka Dr. Madd Vibe) began his career in the early 1980s as lead singer, saxophonist, and creative force behind the band Fishbone. Fishbone’s ability to blend social commentary and humor with a blazing fusion of rock, punk, funk, ska, reggae, gospel and R&B led to their recognition as one of the most notable acts in American music. After over 25 years in the biz, Moore continues his role as frontman of Fishbone, who have entered into a 3rd generation line-up. Mr. Moore has additionally collaborated with the likes of Little Richard, Curtis Mayfield, George Clinton, Rick James, Living Colour, Branford Marsalis, Burnt Sugar, the Wayans brothers, Laurence Fishburne, and Spike Lee. A versatile artist, Dr. Madd Vibe’s wildly energetic and visceral solo performances range from pure spoken word and movement to playing the Theremin and various saxophones as well as reciting poetry accompanied by the Dr. Madd Vibe Aukestra. Stemming from his experiences growing up as a "fly in the buttermilk" in the predominantly white suburbs of Los Angeles, Angelo Moore addresses “Real Racism,” “Social Corrosion,” “Spiritual Overtones,” “Family Affairs,” “Personal Satisfactions and Suffocations” and the human condition in a world gone mad. Dr. Madd Vibe brings a spiritual and cathartic dimension to his performances in the tradition of innovators such as George Clinton, Sun Ra and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Mr. Moore has taken his spoken word and sound power to the stage throughout the world. Between 1997 and 2005 he released “Comprehensive Linkology,” a book and CD; a video recording called “The Yin Yang Thang;” the “Jah Jah on the Telephone” and “Nate Poe Crasto” comic books (soundtrack included) as well as the latest Dr. Madd Vibe album, “Medicine Cabinet.” Angelo has appeared on The Arsenio Hall Show, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, The Roseanne Show, The Magic Johnson Show and was featured in the films “I’m Gonna Git You Sucka” (1988), “Phoenix Point” (2003), “Electric Purgatory” (2003), “The Still Life” (2005) and “Idlewild” (2006). Mr. Moore has performed as a poet at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, BAMCafe, The Knitting Factory, a Black Rock Coalition benefit concert at Galapagos Art Space, and was featured speaker of the Spitfire Tour. Most recently, he has published “Dr. Madd Vibe’s Ivy League Invasion,” a book of poetry published in conjunction with his artistic residency at Yale University (2007); is “Resident Artistic Alien” of the non-profit arts organization, LiveWired, Inc.; guest host of Indieoma.com’s Vox Verite program, and keystone of the New York-based free form ensemble, Buttafly Wranglers Present Garbage Disposal Possibilities.

Flash ! $5 discount on advance tix. $12.50 advance and $17.50 at the door. Buy in advance and it is like getting your first drink free:-)

This show is a rare and special event for the Vancouver and Victoria Ska fans.

Angelo of Fishbone is bringing his side project to BC for two shows, Vancouver and Victoria, Oct 28th & 29th. The Dr Madd Vibe Experiment will feature an hour set by Dr. Madd Vibe and his band. The interesting twist comes with the collaboration between Angelo (Dr. Madd Vibe) and members of the two special guest bands on the show, Rude City Riot and Ivy League Brawlers. Members of the two local bands join the Mad Vibe Band at times and Dr. Madd Vibe will join the two bands at times during their sets.

This is the exact kind of dance / concert / happening where real musical magic can and does happen. Put it on your calendar and make it a point
to be part of the audience Thursday Oct 28th @ the Venue downtown Vancouver, BC Canada.

Dr. Madd Vibe’s work represents a link between poetry, performance art and music. Angelo Moore (aka Dr. Madd Vibe) began his career in the early 1980s as lead singer, saxophonist, and creative force behind the band Fishbone. Fishbone’s ability to blend social commentary and humor with a blazing fusion of rock, punk, funk, ska, reggae, gospel and R&B led to their recognition as one of the most notable acts in American music. After over 25 years in the biz, Moore continues his role as frontman of Fishbone, who have entered into a 3rd generation line-up. Mr. Moore has additionally collaborated with the likes of Little Richard, Curtis Mayfield, George Clinton, Rick James, Living Colour, Branford Marsalis, Burnt Sugar, the Wayans brothers, Laurence Fishburne, and Spike Lee. A versatile artist, Dr. Madd Vibe’s wildly energetic and visceral solo performances range from pure spoken word and movement to playing the Theremin and various saxophones as well as reciting poetry accompanied by the Dr. Madd Vibe Aukestra. Stemming from his experiences growing up as a "fly in the buttermilk" in the predominantly white suburbs of Los Angeles, Angelo Moore addresses “Real Racism,” “Social Corrosion,” “Spiritual Overtones,” “Family Affairs,” “Personal Satisfactions and Suffocations” and the human condition in a world gone mad. Dr. Madd Vibe brings a spiritual and cathartic dimension to his performances in the tradition of innovators such as George Clinton, Sun Ra and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Mr. Moore has taken his spoken word and sound power to the stage throughout the world. Between 1997 and 2005 he released “Comprehensive Linkology,” a book and CD; a video recording called “The Yin Yang Thang;” the “Jah Jah on the Telephone” and “Nate Poe Crasto” comic books (soundtrack included) as well as the latest Dr. Madd Vibe album, “Medicine Cabinet.” Angelo has appeared on The Arsenio Hall Show, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, The Roseanne Show, The Magic Johnson Show and was featured in the films “I’m Gonna Git You Sucka” (1988), “Phoenix Point” (2003), “Electric Purgatory” (2003), “The Still Life” (2005) and “Idlewild” (2006). Mr. Moore has performed as a poet at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, BAMCafe, The Knitting Factory, a Black Rock Coalition benefit concert at Galapagos Art Space, and was featured speaker of the Spitfire Tour. Most recently, he has published “Dr. Madd Vibe’s Ivy League Invasion,” a book of poetry published in conjunction with his artistic residency at Yale University (2007); is “Resident Artistic Alien” of the non-profit arts organization, LiveWired, Inc.; guest host of Indieoma.com’s Vox Verite program, and keystone of the New York-based free form ensemble, Buttafly Wranglers Present Garbage Disposal Possibilities.

Rude City Riot and the Ivy League Brawlers will each do a full set prior to the Dr. Madd Vibe Experiment set. Come early and get a good seat or spot on the dance floor.

MISHKA w/Jon Bone Trio & Arise!

Sunday, October 17th Victoria BC Ska Society is happy to bring more soulful soothing reggae to Victoria when Mishka (from Bermuda) comes to Club 9one9 (formerly Element). Influenced by the music his parents listened to and what his sister also presented to him traveling the high seas on a boat he is influenced by many different roots reggae and blues artists.

After the creation of his first self-titled album "Mishka" which made various charts in Britain and Japan, Mishka met Darryl Thompson - a longtime guitarist for Sly and Robbie. They were working on Above the Bones (his next to be hit album) when Matthew McConaughey showed up and signed Mishka to his newly formed j. k. livin label.

Following up his #1Reggae Billboard hit album Above the Bones, Mishka has now created his current album "Talk About" which he refers to as an album of movement.

Joining Mishka will be Jon Bone Trio - a new hybrid of Jon Bone & the Karuna Movement. Jon Bone & the Karuna Movement have played in Victoria opening for acts such as Delhi 2 Dublin, Buena Buya and John Brown's Body.

SHANE PHILIP TREE featuring Marc Atkinson's Electric Project and GAUDI are proud to make their 1st ever club appearance since their unforgettable debut at Victoria's 11th Annual Ska Festival this summer. Co-headlining this awesome show will be London's GAUDI who mixes dub step, reggae, drum n' bass and with other electronic musical influences.

Rootz Underground had such an awesome time at Bob Marley's 65 Jubilee Celebration, they've decided to come for a second helping this Sunday, September 19th at Element!

Since that memorable night back in February 2010 (flying in at the last minute direct from Jamaica after the band's US Visa was denied) ROOTZ UNDERGROUND have been on a tear of Jamaica, North America and Europe playing all over France, Poland, Italy, Switzerland & Greece. Notably the band also played on Reggae on the River's most recent sold out edition in July of 2010.

The momentum of their song "Power for the People" made for uplifting the people of Haiti combined with the success of their most recent album "Movement" which helped thousands of people in Greece get through their most recent economic collapse has had people in the world-wide reggae community and beyond talking about the band in a most positive light.

And if you thought you were impressed by those recent developments, the band has even more exciting news. Just after their appearance at Reggae on the River this summer, Rootz Underground and Rory from Jamaica's hypest and most legendary sound crew - Stone Luv released and are featured on one of the greatest conscious roots reggae and dancehall compilation albums in recent memory. The CD compilation titled "Roots Organics" features some of the world's greatest reggae heavyweights (and their counterparts) such as
Luciano, Damian Jr. Gong (w/Nas), the late great Sugar Minott, Ritchie Spice, Lutan Fyah, Anthony B, Sizzla and more.

Supporting ROOTZ UNDERGROUND on this to be epic show will be Brave New Waves who have come off a busy summer schedule playing Victoria's 11th Annual Ska Festival alongside bands such as Fishbone, The Black Seeds and Cherry Poppin' Daddies + being active all over Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland.

Long time no see reggae outfit GIRAFFE AFTERMATH will be playing a special acoustic performance as well. GIRAFFE AFTERMATH'S acoustic shows carry a special feeling and sound reminding us why the next time they come we'll be even more excited to see the band in its entirety.

Nanaimo's REBEL SELECTOR will round out the bill playing the very best in reggae, dancehall and Latin grooves.

This monster bill all goes down on SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19TH @ CLUB 9ONE9 (FORMERLY ELEMENT NIGTHCLUB - 919 DOUGLAS STREET)

After two sold out club shows and an epic co-headlining spot at Victoria's 9th Annual Ska Festival with The Skatalites - Easy Star All Stars have come back for more this September 1st in Victoria. The band will feature recently Billboard hit albums such as Dub Side of the Moon (based on Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon) and Radiodread (based on Radiohead's Ok Computer). But much of the show will showcase material from their most recent album Lonely Hearts Dub Band (based on The Beatles' Sergent Pepper). The show will also feature a lot of the band's original material (i.e music from their all original EP Until that Day.

Joining them on the bill will be Vancouver's reggae juggernauts NATURAL FLAVAS who are consisted of members of both Roots Roundup and Dubfreque! You may remember them from when they opened up for Inner Circle earlier this year at Pepperpot's 9th Year Anniversary Bash. Solid night of reggae all around. Get tickets asap!

Get ready for some of the best and most classic oi punk bands in the UK punk scene. Sunday, August 29th Victoria BC Ska Society is proud to host THE BUSINESS with guests Frostbacks & Lesbian Fist Magnet for the first time to Victoria.

Oi!, street rock, punk, whatever you want to call it, the name of The Business is bound to come up within 5 minutes of conversation. Having written legendary albums and tunes throughout their career, the new EP shows that the band is still absolutele THE BUSINESS! Micky Fitz, Trots, Tosh & Bundie prove beyond any doubt that this is the most formidable line-up The Business has spawned! These three new tracks showcase The Business at their best, hard yet melodic, in a class of their own.

JAMAICAN RHYTHM PATTERNS OF THE 60s (Hosted by Brian Dixon of the Aggrolites)

It’s been almost fifty years since the birth of ska in Jamaica. Since that time the music evolved and spread to all parts of the globe. Chronologically the music evolved from a faster 2/4 beat with emphasis on the offbeat to slower versions of the same rhythm pattern that became known as rocksteady and reggae.

There are many reasons as to why the beat pattern changed from the quicker ska offbeat that often used larger ensembles with full horn sections to smaller ensembles that often used smaller rhythm sections and back-up vocals. Some people say it was the political and social climate of Jamaica’s society. Some attribute these changes more to economics. But there may be other concrete reasons why the music rhythm pattern evolved into these other wonderful offshoots of ska we have grown to enjoy.

Brian Dixon – original guitar player in The Aggrolites has some theories he would like to share with us. As a young and passionate ska/reggae musician, Dixon and many of his colleagues have already worked closely with ska and rocksteady legends such as Desmond Dekker, Derrick Morgan, Alton Ellis, and Prince Buster. At this workshop Dixon will present some of his theories as to why the rhythm pattern of ska morphed into the slower forms such as rocksteady and reggae that even the most avid ska/rocksteady/reggae fans and musical historians may have overlooked.

If you happen to be in the Nanaimo area and you want to take a short fifteen minute ferry ride over to Gabriola Island, you'll have a Colombian party ready at your door step. Victoria BC Ska Society is proud to present the debut of SKAMPIDA from Bogota, Colombia for an all night Colombo/Canadian dance party! Skampida will bring their unique brand of ska, reggae, Kumbia, punk, jazz and much more for your partying pleasure. Advance tickets available on ticketweb.ca. Tickets also at the door.

On Thursday, July 8th Victoria BC Ska Society welcomes two of the most colorful members of the NW reggae scene to share their knowledge on the art of Jamaican dubplates & riddim versioning. Dancehall MC- DJ Collage (aka Mista Chatman) & reggae selectress DJ Tank Girl will discuss how dubplates are made, and what purpose they serve to reggae sound systems in Jamaica & abroad. They will also be explaining what a "version" is in reggae music and will give live & direct examples on how to "ride di version" inna reggae stylee!

DJ Collage (aka Mista Chatman) is a known reggae vocalist throughout the NW and can be seen performing alongside artists such as Delhi 2 Dublin, Collie Buddz, Yellowman, Inner Circle & more. He can also be seen live on tha mic hosting his Seattle based weekly reggae party- JAM JAM.

DJ Tank Girl is part of the Vancouver based DJ collective- Lighta! and holds down the weekly dancehall party TING at the Astoria in East Van. She has just returned from a month long trip in Jamaica where she acquired many dubplates for the Lighta! Soundsystem.

SKAMPIDA MAKES THEIR WAY TO THE WAVE IN CUMBERLAND BC!

SKAMPIDA are one of Colombia's finest ska/reggae/punk bands that are entertaining beyond belief. They are energetic, fun and perform with a message (if you can understand Spanish;) Regardless if you can or not don't miss another historic epic play with one of Bogota, Colombia's finest! Advance tickets at Bop City, Tarbells Cafe, and Sound Advice

The Aggrolites will be returning to Vancouver after a successful show last year at Richards on Richards. The Aggrolites are always a blast and they will also be appearing at Victoria's 11th Annual Ska Festival at Ship Point the following day. If you live or happen to be in Vancouver on Thursday, July 8th get a double dose and see them in Vancouver. Vancouver's Bone Daddies will open the show. Tickets on sale shortly at Zulu, Highlife, Scratch, Redcat Records and Ticketweb.ca

Dubstep. What is it? Where did it come from? Where is it going? These questions and more will be answered in a special educational and interactive seminar hosted by DJs Frame and Rhythmicon (from the Big Reds) and DJ Longshanks. These three DJs, who have been actively involved in developing the dubstep scene in Victoria, will be taking participants on an interactive journey through dubstep’s musical history. Connections will be drawn to the early beginnings of the reggae/dancehall scene in England (the birthplace of dubstep) to illustrate the sound system culture that is at the very heart of the dubstep sound. Through samples of songs participants will also develop a strong understanding of musical dynamics of the dubstep beat and what makes it unique. As a result, it will become clear that dubstep is here to stay and is a special part of Victoria’s 11th Annual Ska Festival.

Teeks Tekniques and Victoria BC Ska Society are proud to bring Vancouver one of the most impressive reggae shows to hit BC in quite some time. Straight outta New Zealand we are excited to announce a huge twin bill of epic proportions!

New Zealand's all Maori reggae juggernauts - KATCHAFIRE will team up with another one of New Zealand's most renowned and tightest reggae groups - THE BLACK SEEDS in a double Kiwi invasion you have never seen yet on Canadian soil. Both bands are excited to be in Canada as they are both coming for Victoria's 11th Annual Ska Festival which happens in Victoria BC - July 7th - 10th.

We invite you to experience the smooth and groovy sounds of both bands' extensive collection of music.

Log on to http://www.katchafire.co.nz

http://theblackseeds.com

SIGHTS AND STORIES OF SKA FEST (ART EXHIBIT)

Wed. July 7th 20106:30pm - 1:30am doors at 6pm By Donation $5 minimum donation at the doorTicket Info Tickets At: at the door

This is a new addition to Victoria's Annual Ska Festival that will highlight various experiences at Victoria's Annual Ska Festival both visually and orally since its inception and other experiences people involved with the scene have had within their ska/reggae communities here and abroad.

Artistic works will be displayed in various businesses throughout Greater Victoria but the twist is that each will have a story that will be expressed orally (recorded or live), or musically at this main art exhibit on Wednesday, July 7th @ Victoria Event Centre. More details shortly...

THE IDLERS (from St. John's Newfoundland) debut on the Island - ON THE ROAD TO SKA FEST 2010

It's been almost five years in the making but FINALLY St. John Newfoundland's THE IDLERS are going to make the mammouth trek from Canada's far east to far west - one Island to another...
The Idlers are an eleven-piece reggae circus from St. John's, Newfoundland. Their unique sound comes from a love for reggae, ska, and afro-beat, peppered with a little Celtic. Ringmaster Mark Wilson fronts a solid rhythm section, and heavy horns, bringing audiences to frenzy since they began in April 2006.

From Victoria we have The Novamatics who are one of the tightest ska bands to come out of Victoria in quite some time. The band has a full horn section and plays solid ska/rocksteady/reggae/jazz tunes. With a full horn section and solid rhythm section you'll be hard pressed not to dance.

And finally Banana Fish Orchestra are one of the freshest bands to come outta Nanaimo right now. Their fusion of Latin, jazz, reggae funk will blend perfectly into this night (Ska, Celtic, reggae, jazz, funk and more). Overall this show is chuck full of music and is guaranteed to be insanely good! Make sure to purchase tickets as soon as they go on sale!

Tickets available now at Lyle's Place, The Reef, Ditch Records & TICKETWEB.CA!

Jah Cutta has always been an Island favourite since his first performance back in 2006. Since he has played on several shows at Lucky Bar and Element Nightclub. His last appearance was at Victoria's 10th Anniversary Ska Festival playing alongside Mexico's Maskatesta and New York's Subatomic Sound System. Now he'll be playing alongside EastWave Radio from Portland, Maine and Victoria's own Shade Bust. This will be an awesome display of roots, party reggae and ska all combined in one!

JOHN BROWN'S BODY'S VANCOUVER DEBUT @560 Club (replacing old Richards on Richards) w/ Giraffe Aftermath! On the Road to Ska Fest 2010!

This will be a reggae/skankster's paradise. Victoria BC Ska Society and Teeks Techniques is proud to bring John Brown's Body to Vancouver for the 1st time. And we're going happy to have one of Vancouver's finest rub-a-dub reggae rockers - Giraffe Aftermath. This will be an awesome show and the ticket price is another bonus;)

You may remember that John Brown's Body opened up for Slightly Stoopid a few years ago and blew the roof off the Commodore Ballroom. Now they're back with a follow up to their Billboard Hit album "Amplify" now with Re-Amplify. Re-Amplify features re-mixed versions of Amplify with artists such as Dubmatix - Canada's best dub/drum n'bass/reggae/dubstep outfits, Blue King Brown and Gym Class Heroes.

JOHN BROWN'S BODY RETURNS FOR THE 1ST TIME! - On the Road to Ska Fest 2010!

Easy Star Records Artists – John Brown’s Body are one of the best reggae/dub bands in the North America today. Hailing from Boston, MA, John Brown’s Body’s recent album AMPLIFY debuted at #1 on the Reggae Billboard Charts in 2008. The album features twelve original tracks with musical influences from classic UK reggae of the 70s to West African instrumentation to experimental dub/electronic sounds.Their follow up album Re-Amplify released in 2009 is equally as impressive with re-mixes of songs from Amplify which include artists such as Dubmatix, Blue King Brown and Gym Class Heroes.John Brown's Body will coming to Victoria for the 1st time after being stuck in the snow in Tacoma last time they tried to make it up in December 2008.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN REBEL MUSIC

Since the summer of 2008 Rocky Mountain Rebel Music and has evolved to include 10 musicians from across Canada. This Diverse collective talent accounts for the band's high energy and full sound as well as its broad range of musical influences. Charged by Reggae, Rock, Funk, Dub, Dancehall, Punk and Worldbeat, Rocky Mountain Rebel Music delivers an original sound that defies comparison. Catch one of the most anticipated home coming appearances by one of Victoria's favourite reggae/rock/funk/dub/ska bands! Notably RMRM are masters of bringing the ska/reggae community together hosting (often spontaneous or unannounced until the last minute) big parties and events throughout the year keeping the scene strong.

JON BONE TRIO

JON BONE & the KARUNA MOVEMENT (FULL BAND NOW CONFIRMED)

Jon Bone & the Karuna Movement is a Jam band laying down a mix of reggae, funk, and world grooves and coloring them with catchy melodies and deep lyrical content.They groove on a nice balance of tunes with free form, improvized jams.

When you join them, come ready to dance!!!

Jon Bone has played on numerous large events and festivals throughout British Columbia and worked closely with Ibo (from Ibo & Kindred Band). Recent shows include playing alongside Delhi 2 Dublin @ Lucky Bar last year and Rootz Underground at the Port Theatre in February 2010.

REBEL SELECTOR

One of the movers and shakers of the Nanaimo reggae massive - Rebel Selector specializes in selecting some of the best in roots, dancehall and Latin riddims. He'll keep the vibe strong all night anytime you don't hear one of these awesome aforementioned bands.

THE SLACKERS RETURN TO VANCOUVER AT THE RICKSHAW THEATRE (ALL AGES + BAR)! On the Road to Ska Fest 2010!

Victoria BC Ska Society and Rumbletone are proud to present the only Slackers BC show on Thursday, March 25th @ the Rickshaw Theatre. This will be an ALL AGES with bar so we expect ANY SLACKERS FANS THROUGHOUT BC AND BEYOND to come out for this one.

This appearance for the Slackers celebrates their most recent album release "Lost and Found"

The band says:

Lost & Found is a cd that I culled from our archives going back as far 1998. It includes rarities from back in the day, alternative versions of slacker's classics, and "new" songs that we just finished from basic rhythms that were not completed (it took 5 years for us to finish one of these tracks...that's slackin!)

So yeah, its a fun cd, new and old at the same time. But its all tracks that havent seen the light of day until right now! if you want to hear a blow by blow description of the tunes and hear a new mp3 go to www.myspace.com/theslackers

.

THE SLACKERS RETURN TO VANCOUVER AT THE RICKSHAW THEATRE (ALL AGES + BAR)! On the Road to Ska Fest 2010!

Victoria BC Ska Society and Rumbletone are proud to present the only Slackers BC show on Thursday, March 25th @ the Rickshaw Theatre. This will be an ALL AGES with bar so we expect ANY SLACKERS FANS THROUGHOUT BC AND BEYOND to come out for this one.

This appearance for the Slackers celebrates their most recent album release "Lost and Found"

The band says:

Lost & Found is a cd that I culled from our archives going back as far 1998. It includes rarities from back in the day, alternative versions of slacker's classics, and "new" songs that we just finished from basic rhythms that were not completed (it took 5 years for us to finish one of these tracks...that's slackin!)

So yeah, its a fun cd, new and old at the same time. But its all tracks that havent seen the light of day until right now! if you want to hear a blow by blow description of the tunes and hear a new mp3 go to www.myspace.com/theslackers

.

St.Paddy's Day Tour

The Dreadnoughts are a full out paarty band with various influences ranging from celtic, ska, punk, reggae and rock. They are one of Vancouver's finest party bands playing often with some of Vancouver's most talented grassroots ska/reggae/punk groups such as Los Furios, The Wrecktals and The Real McKenzies (whose members now reside in various parts of North America).

Joining them will be Victoria's Lesbian Fist Magnet + The Novamatics that have been playing on some high calibre sold out shows as of late. One of the most recent highlights was their performance with SubCity Dwellers, Great White Shark & Nine Mile @ Lucky Bar to a packed house.

Sunday, March 7th/2010 this Island will be treated to an unbelievable party full of reggae and dancehall when the Legendary Bad Boys of Reggae - INNER CIRCLE come to Victoria. They'll be performing hits from their brand new album titled "State of Da World" which features tracks with Damian and Stephen Marley, Morgan Heritage, Lutan Fyah, Luciano, Slightly Stoopid, Steel Pulse and more. This combined with previous platinum hits such as "Bad Boys" from the TV theme song "Cops" and "Sweat" (a la la la la long) and many more will make this night one to remember. Also don't forget Inner Circle was also featured in the reggae cult classic "Rockers" with their late lead singer Jacob Miller. They became known in the late seventies and early eighties with their hit "Tenement Yard" and then climbed back to the top of the reggae world later to win two Grammys and now they're up for their third with this latest release "State of Da World"

Opening the show will be NATURAL FLAVAS -a newly formed high quality reggae band from Vancouver made up of some of the long-time reggae and ska Vancouver veterans. The members of the band have shared the stage with other artists such as Wailers Band, Beenie Man, Culture, Israel Vibration, Jimmy Cliff and Linton Kwesi Johnson. Natural Flavas are a breath of fresh air to our westcoast reggae scene.

Also Pepperpot's favourite DJs (DJ Abel & DJ Collage) will team up to spin and chat pon di mic. Together this most talented duo form --> BACCHANAL SOUND!

This show will also be a double anniversary bash (8th & 9th) for Pepperpot - Victoria's Hypest Caribbean Radio that has been bringing Victoria and Island (s) the best in dancehall, soca and reggae since its inception in February of 2001! We can't wait for this show and it's been a long time coming...

Listen to Pepperpot - Victoria's Hypest Caribbean Radio every Saturday 6-7pm on CFUV 101.FM or CFUV.UVIC.CA

Chris Murray will be making a quick pit stop on the westcoast at the end of February in Vancouver and Victoria! Tickets on sale shortly. You may remember he played some nice shows and gave an unforgettable workshop at Victoria's 10th Anniversary Ska Festival last summer. Be sure to catch him again!

Also as a special added treat Brave New Waves will be performing a special acoustic set to warm of the evening!

We're calling this one Winter Ska Storm (thanks to Eli of Brave New Waves for coming up with the name). More ska in Courtenay is a good thing and we're happy to bring The Expos (Stomp Records Artists) that came previous to Victoria opening for One Night Band. The Expos are now touring in support of their new album "Blackwater" which is full of nice rocksteady and reggae. And to top it off Brave New Waves from Victoria will be bringing down the house with their own Island brand of reggae/surf/ska. Paarty paarty must we say? This is a great opportunity to get out of town for a night and then come back down to Victoria for Chris Murray at Lucky Bar two days after this show.

Riding on the success of last year's Bob Marley B-Day Bash with Selassie I Power, Pepperpot - Victoria's Hypest Caribbean Radio and the Victoria BC Ska Society are proud to bring the Island one of Jamaica's most talented and entertaining contemporary roots reggae bands - ROOTZ UNDERGROUND with special guests Shane Philip and Nine Mile! It will be a night full of roots reggae, and the highest quality music from the first to last note.

All three acts will perform a mixture of original and Marley tunes in their own style.

Shane Philip will prepare a special set for Bob Marley's 65th Anniversary Jubilee representing the Island (s) massive. Shane's last reggae show that the VBCSS was in involved in was in July 2009 when he did a string of dates with Canada's top dub/reggae/drum n' bass soundsystem - Dubmatix Soundsystem. With both bands on the bill that night there was such a nice combination of roots reggae, drum n ' bass and dub step with Shane Philip's mixture of reggae, folk, funk and world-beat percussion fusion. That show made for an unforgettable evening and the only difference this time is you'll have all three acts playing their best original and Marley tunes in their own style.

To have a line-up combination like this isn't the norm... And neither is the fact that Nine Mile have been practicing with ROOTZ UNDERGROUND in preparation for this show in Jamaica throughout December & January. Nine Mile is on the rise and it's only fitting that their inspiration right now is coming straight outta Jamaica. Just in early January Nine Mile played in Kingston to a packed house and were asked to perform at the Jazz Festival by Sharon Burke - one of the top promoters in the country.

And finally ROOTZ UNDERGROUND...

Over the last decade Rootz Underground have won their fans and the respect of their contemporaries one explosive show at a time showcasing and projecting a collective energy that captivates audiences with its pure intention. It is with this ability to engage and hypnotize that Rootz Underground has set out on the tour trail, traveling through the Caribbean, North America and Hawaii in an effort to carry the message of upliftment, positivity and oneness. The year 2008 saw them touring America extensively on joint bills with foundation powerhouses such as Gregory Isaacs, Israel Vibration, The Wailing Souls, Dean Fraser as well as acts such as Anthony B and Tarrus Riley. They have played both the Raggamuffins Festival as well as The Sierra Nevada World Music Festival in California. Get ready for a Island Bob Marley B-Day Bash you'll never forget

This will be one of the biggest reggae shows to come to the Island in some time. Jamaica's conscious bobo dread Anthony B embodies a spiritual and proactive approach in Reggae music. Anthony B has been steadfast in his mission to represent the poor and oppressed, using sharp lyrics to confront political injustices and bring the issues of the people to the forefront. In the process, he has raised the quality of performance standards and lyrical content for the industry, through the release of 13 albums, over 1000 singles and appearances on over 100 albums in the last 14 years.

Anthony B's lyrical genius and his captivating, energetic performance style have caused him to be heavily requested for performances in the Caribbean, North America, Europe and Africa. He was given a King's welcome in Gambia and Senegal. In 2004, he sold out shows in Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Belgium, France, Italy and Germany; closing for such greats as Israel Vibration and Burning Spear. br />

His heavy touring schedule has not slowed Anthony B's stream of releases. Over the years, he has collaborated with Bone Crusher, Akon, Wyclef Jean, Snoop Dogg, R. Kelly, Martina, an on his latest album, Toots.

Anthony B's rich vocals and audacious lyrics carry a depth and substance which is rare in the industry. Internationally, his fan-base has grown because he speaks about the universal concerns of suffering and salvation. "The greatest thing about reggae music is that it's about concepts and ideas," says the artist, "you are speaking to people on issues they live and can relate to"

So much exciting talent on this show and so much to celebrate! Vancouver's Los Furios will team up with Bogota, Colombia's La Severa Matacera for an evening never to forget and not to be missed. Plus to top it all off - Victoria's own CFC will be also special guests of honour to open this show.

Los Furios is one of Canada's most talented and revered ska bands. Touring the country over many a time, the band is increasingly gaining popularity in the Latin American markets in Mexico and beyond. This is part of what makes such a great mix to have both La Severa Matacera who will also be showcasing their brand new CD titled V.I.S.A. They will be coming to BC for the third time after appearing at Victoria's 7th Annual Ska Festival opening for Junior Reid & The Aggrolites and then appearing the year after at Summer Splash at Centennial Square.

Finally CFC is an awesome conscious and fun Island hip hop crew. The Crap Fartists Crew fit on this bill perfectly as they have been the only band we know of to tour Colombia twice and to meet La Severa Matacera on their home turf.

This show will be an unforgettable mix of ska, reggae, Kumbia, dancehall, funk, jazz, punk and everything in between. There's something for everyone and you can't miss a direct fly in date with La Severa Matacera - our Colombian cousins!

Los Furios does a album release on their home turf. The album's title is called "Run Devil Run" They'll be joined by Colombia's La Severa Matacera & the Bone Daddies. Tickets at Red Cat, Scratch Records, & Ticketweb.ca

La Severa Matacera comes to the University of Victoria's Felicita's Pub on Monday, November 23/2009. This is your chance to see the band's full headlining set all night. And best of all you'll get to enjoy fresh Lighthouse Brewery beers on tap too!Proudly presented by Victoria BC Ska Society & Lighthouse Brewery. Tickets on ticketweb.ca or at the door.

LA SEVERA MATACERA CANADIAN TOUR STOP IN POWELL RIVER!

This is the second date for La Severa Matacera as they continue their Canadian tour and come through Powell River for a pit stop at McKinney's Pub. This venue is the smallest venue on the tour so be sure to come early to avoid disappointment. Tickets available at ticketweb.ca and the door.
Joining La Severa Matacera will be Victoria's Mindil Beach Markets. Ska, reggae, surf/rock from Victoria BC!

Friday, November 20th Bogota, Colombia's La Severa Matacera will begin an epic 10 day Canadian (BC) tour on Vancouver Island at The Avalanche Bar & Grill in Courtenay BC.

Victoria BC Ska Society is proud to present this tour after working with the band frequency since 2006.

La Severa Matacera will be joined by Victoria's own reggae/dub/ska rockers Great White Shark and CFC - Canada's Ambassadors of hip hop to Colombia. Great White Shark will be playing their first show following their US Hawaiian Tour and CFC will be re-united with their Colombian brothers after meeting them in Bogota earlier this past year and touring (for their second time) throughout Cali (Western Colombian city)!

CLINTON FEARON'S ACOUSTIC SPECIAL

Clinton Fearon is no stranger to Victoria or the rest of the Island/Gulf Islands. Over the years he has provided us with numerous impressive shows playing at various festivals and clubs for the past 15 years. Most of us know him more recently from "Clinton Fearon & the Boogie Brown Band" but we also know he was the original bass and singer for Jamaica's The Gladiators (one of the best roots reggae bands in the world).

Now Clinton Fearon will bring us songs from his endless collection of material and play it for us ACOUSTIC.With the accompaniment of guitarist Mark Oi, Fearon is bringing the intimate sound of his acoustic album on tour in Canada for the first time for a reggae concert experience like no other.

This is an exciting chance to hear Clinton Fearon like you've never heard him before. Even for his most loyal fans that have seen him with The Boogie Brown Band and The Gladiator will blown away by his acoustic show;)

Tickets on sale now at Lyle's Place, Ditch Records, The Reef & TICKETWEB.CA!

Feel free to check out various links:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8vj7q_clinton-fearon-songs-of-praises-aco_music

MAD CADDIES return to the Island with Brave New Waves for another kick ass skank sweat filled hella good time!

Friday, November 3rd @ Element Nightclub Victoria BC Ska Society is proud to present one of North America’s party ska/swing/reggae/punk kings MAD CADDIES once again to the Island. After journeying the globe many times over since their last appearance in Victoria at Victoria’s 8th Annual Ska Festival playing alongside Neville Staple from the Specials and Band among talented others, the Mad Caddies are embarking on another not to be missed show @ Element Nightclub.

Opening for Mad Caddies will be Brave New Waves that will be fresh off their CD release. Brave New Waves are more than excited to be supporting such an awesome kick ass party band such as Mad Caddies.

The Mad Caddies talents reach far beyond the boundaries of ska and punk, enabling them to throw a musical curve ball into the mix without notice. Reggae, Dixie, jazz, surf, rockabilly, country and swing are all styles in which the group is well versed and aren’t afraid to inject into their unique brand of rock.

The band has toured the U.S., Europe, Canada, Australia and Japan countless times, including stints on ..97, ..98, ..00, ..03 Warped Tours and both the Euro and American Fat Tours of 2000. Between all this time on the road, the Mad Caddies have managed to release an EP, a live record, and three other full lengths on Fat Wreck Chords.

DUB STEPPAS' DELIGHT!

Victoria BC Ska Society & Pacific Dubstep proudly present Dubsteppas' Delight. This event will be a journey through a variety of sounds that showcase the ever-evolving sound of dub reggae music. Dubsteppas' Delight is a crossover between traditional dub sound-system culture and the new progressive sounds of dubstep. While delivering a diverse range of music, this event stays firmly aimed at keeping your feet moving to sweet bass driven sounds. We are proud to present a talented group of artists ready to do just that:

RSD/Rob Smith:

From the legendary Bristol dub act Smith & Mighty and drum & bass outfit More Rockers, Bristol bass and drum music stalwart Rob Smith has been pushing bass heavy rhythms for more than two decades.Under the moniker RSD, Rob Smith produces fresh, innovative bass music that simultaneously pays dues to his deep soundsystem roots while pushing things ever forward. He remains firmly at the forefront of Bristol's endlessly inventive music scene.

dUbTeT:

dUbTeT is a multi-instrumentalist dub duo from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Their sound is global dub with live instruments, live looping, and live dubbing. Unique and original, dUbTeT is a hybrid ofacoustic and electronic, reggae and samba, dance and meditation. A dUbTeT show is a sound system experience, inspired by Jamaican sound system culture.

Big Reds:

Big Reds is GOBE, FRAME, and RHYTHMICON - Victoria’s three-man dubstep wrecking crew. The fella's behind PACIFIC DUBSTEP, laying the dubstep foundation down in a big way for the victoria massive. Collectively, they blend the irie dub roots, two step and techno depth of dubstep together seamlessly. For this night, they're warming the place up proper straight before dUbTeT.

MC Natureboy:

Nature has been residing in the bass-lines for a long time. With the influences of CHARLEY CHAPLIN, JOSEY WALES, and BRIGADEER JERRY. Lurking within the DrumLine Natureboy injects a conscious lyrical fantastique to make the dance floor a more intimate space.

Tickets on sale now at Lyle's Place, Ditch Records & TICKETWEB.CA. Buy early as the show could sell out!!

Get ready for the best Brave New Waves show you can imagine when they go all out on their CD release hometown throwdown @ Sugar Nightclub with special guests The Kiltlifters, Rocky Mountain Rebel Music (with Pocket Kings as special guests with them + DJ Brukout!

If you enjoyed the BOUNCING SOULS the last time they came to Legends (now Element), you'll probably enjoy seeing them again at Sugar Nightclub - Tuesday, October 6th when they celebrate their 20th Anniversary! Special Guests are the legendary YOUTH BRIGADE + Saint Alvia & Off with their Heads!

Coincidentally Youth Brigade and BYO Records will be celebrating their 25th Anniversary at the show. To commemorate Youth Brigade's Anniversary there will be a special Brew & View Presentation at Lucky Bar - Sunday, October 4th starting at 9pm. The documentary film "Let Them Know" The Story of Youth Brigade and BYO Records will help you get pumped for the show on TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6TH @ SUGAR!

SubCity Dwellers are also coming to the Island with new music. After several trips to Victoria playing on various shows and Victoria's 7th and 8th Annual Ska Festivals they have a new album called "Where's The Noise?" on Transistor 66 Records. Ten brand new tracks of some of our best material to date, including some of our dance floor killers, 'Temper' and 'The End of the Bottle'. To our sweet reggae grooves in tunes like 'Sweet Misery'.

And finally Great White Shark - Victoria's up and coming reggae/dub masters will be special guests for this show. They will also be touring with SubCity Dwellers throughout the Island. Don't miss this one!

Playing the tuffest in Rare Rocksteady, Early Reggae, Classic Ska O.G. 45's.

Selecta Mossman will be playing unreleased tracks, outtakes, dub-plates and alternate mixes from the album/movie project! Event attendees will have the opportunity to hear records they may never be able to hear anywhere else again and ask questions surrounding this world-renowned film/album.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

@ Solstice Café 529 Pandora Ave.

Doors: 7pm Admission: $7.00 at the door All Ages. (Limited capacity)

WWW.ROCKSTEADYROOTSOFREGGAE.COM

Also check out the facebook group for the film on facebook or musicwise@gmail.com

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The film plays at Cinecenta on Friday, September 18th - 7pm & 9pm showings.

The documentary film Rocksteady: The Roots of Reggae is a musical journey to Jamaicas Golden Age of music, Rocksteady. The film f